tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70254356165405111542024-02-06T21:58:44.810-08:00The Paradigm TravelerA campaign journal of one man's pilgrimage to Gaming Enlightenment.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-75009594985490478582010-12-10T20:23:00.000-08:002010-12-29T02:22:16.371-08:00OwlCon XXX<div class="floatLeft" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.owlcon.com/index.php" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><br />
<img class="floatRight" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVParKzrkLChe_bgVojJTtAC3ppIPC5TCGWFSdSygI9j30MzZcfLRYdSacy0Frtw5MNxcCSy47TXeSRsrErOUtTpGNcmkiZBHo06a20g8nTUqPywUujqxdeTOeCfwiy8W-sI-1qat5wzCK/s320/Owlconlogo.gif" width="232" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Texas gamers! Mark your calendars next year for the 30th annual OwlCon, to be held on the campus of Rice University. This will be the first year I will attend, but I've heard great things about it from <i><a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/12/owlcon-xxx.html">Troll and Flame</a>. </i>There's a wide variety of scheduled board games, minis games, tabletop rpgs, and even some larps.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since I was super-smart and registered early, I got all my first choices:</span><br />
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</span></div><h3 style="font-style: oblique; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Barbarians of Lemuria</span></h3><table border="1" style="text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Caravan of Flowers</span></div></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" width="33%"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">3 - 6 players</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Sat1000 (0)</span></b></div></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" width="33%"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Beginner</span></div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Minimum age: You must be 18 years of age or older to participate in this event.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">No job is more time-honored among the sell-sword and his brethren than caravan duty. Seeing goods across the wastes is a fine source of income and adventure. But when the goods turn out to be something more than you expected, the adventure is likely to be extraordinary as well. Barbarians of Lemuria is a rules-light system designed for classic Swords & Sorcery adventure. No previous experience needed.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span">GM - Theron Bretz</span></div></td></tr>
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<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: oblique; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Burning Wheel</span></h3><table border="1" style="text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">Dogs of the Waterfront</div></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" width="33%"><div style="text-align: left;">3 - 8 players</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">Sat1500 (6)</div></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" width="33%"><div style="text-align: left;">Beginner</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">There is a time to talk. There is a time to demand. There is a time to kick in the door, shoot out the lights, and take what is yours. Do you want to play the film Resevoir Dogs? For real? Back again this year for a repeat performance, one showing only. Returning players welcome (no spoilers).</div><div style="text-align: left;">GM - Dwight Frohaug</div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></span><br />
<h3 style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: oblique; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Swords & Wizardry (Stellar Quest variant)</span></h3><table border="1" style="text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">Old School Star Trek: Mission to Carcerus III</div></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" width="33%"><div style="text-align: left;">4 - 8 players</div></td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">Fri2000 (6)</div></td><td style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;" width="33%"><div style="text-align: left;">Beginner</div></td></tr>
<tr><td colspan="2" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><div style="text-align: left;">You are a crew member onboard the survey cruiser USS Des Cartes. Your team's mission is to deliver Dotar Karth, the reknowned mass murderer, to the prison planet of Carcerus III. Other ships have recently disappeared in this region of space, so you are advised to proceed with caution. This adventure uses a variant of the Swords & Wizardry core rules; pregenerated characters will be provided.</div><div style="text-align: left;">GM - Jason Kemp</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></span></h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-weight: normal;">Most games still have plenty of room, but why chance it? Give yourself an early Christmas present and <a href="http://www.owlcon.com/2011/prereg.php">register today</a>.</span></span></h3></div>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-63408581930952467152010-11-24T08:28:00.000-08:002010-11-24T17:27:07.073-08:00Guest Post at Troll and FlameOver at the <i><a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/">Troll and Flame</a> </i>blog, I wrote a guest post in return for the <a href="http://theparadigmtraveler.blogspot.com/2010/11/guest-post-tabletop-gaming-aids.html">Gaming Aids</a> post Norm wrote for me:<br />
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<a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/11/necromould-guest-post.html">The Necromould</a><br />
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Norm is an avid gamer, an obsessive tinkerer, and a true patron of the tabletop arts. Be sure to check out the rest of his blog, which features a ton of gaming goodness.<br />
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<b></b>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-25497295236160057332010-11-07T00:18:00.000-07:002010-11-07T21:22:20.383-08:00Guest Post: Tabletop Gaming Aids<pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><i>[The following is a guest post by my good friend Norman J. Harman of <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/">Troll and Flame</a>. Norm is a great enthusiast and promoter of pen and paper gaming, and also happened to be the DM of the first D&D game I ever played. Be sure to check out his blog.</i><i>]</i></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><i>
</i></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLReFlJ24SslHldciRxuHMP2td1TA6g_PwUa4vITcg-AvVy0q4gxfZI3xiTs1MUCSycpCxhlaHVifHu_CnUWCGGqAcGBhM_0lCGBpoW9B17bSLur8SLh0DSmQnALkrwvSUH-K2GdXUv2/s1600/sm20101102_006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YLReFlJ24SslHldciRxuHMP2td1TA6g_PwUa4vITcg-AvVy0q4gxfZI3xiTs1MUCSycpCxhlaHVifHu_CnUWCGGqAcGBhM_0lCGBpoW9B17bSLur8SLh0DSmQnALkrwvSUH-K2GdXUv2/s320/sm20101102_006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><i>
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</i></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">I'm a bit OCD when it comes to counters, trackers, props and other play aides. I've play tested more than a few. This is what I've learned. DM's and games are different so, as always, YMMV.
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Misses...
</span></span></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/Trad_Cribbage_Board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/a/ad/Trad_Cribbage_Board.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cribbage"><b>Cribbage board</b></a>: When I first read about this idea I became overly excited, ran out to FLGS, <a href="http://www.greathallgames.com/">Great Hall Games</a>, and bought a cribbage board and a multitude of pegs. Pegs to track hit points, spell durations, initiative, everything! In play, the board is long and takes up quite a bit of space. Even more so if you want to hide it behind DM screen. The pegs fall out too easily. They are also hard to manipulate when a few of them are plugged in near each other (such as when tracking hit points). One needs to remember (or label which is hard with the tiny pegs) which peg goes with which thing being tracked. There are no notes / history to refer to later. The coup-de-grace, cribbage board is just not as fast or as easy as scribbling on paper or dry erase board.</pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Tally_Counters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c3/Tally_Counters.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tally_counter">Tally Counter</a></b>: Thought this would be orc's knee for tracking rounds during combat. In reality, not so much. Combats don't last all that long. Even though I kept it in my hand I forgot to whack the tally all the time. It was in my hand, meaning other things notes, NPC cards, dice weren't.
</pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: normal;"><pre style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hits...
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</b></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMpD4PvH7Bxbz1ifFUcJTppKkosal8Dzmh1izwAxeZeXiUPt6iaxL9g3ftSX2EavPGsp7h4gR_KZb0gEsCKjd12PcaTnloVS8nu1VgG18oPFi3vGLATClZClMvE8kqS-L-g9Jt_CNvR-F/s1600/sm20101102_007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQMpD4PvH7Bxbz1ifFUcJTppKkosal8Dzmh1izwAxeZeXiUPt6iaxL9g3ftSX2EavPGsp7h4gR_KZb0gEsCKjd12PcaTnloVS8nu1VgG18oPFi3vGLATClZClMvE8kqS-L-g9Jt_CNvR-F/s320/sm20101102_007.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><b>
</b></pre>Dry/Wet Erase-Board</b>
Besides the obvious mapping and quick drawing functions a corner of a dry erase board or a dedicated one just for the DM has a great many uses. After years of trying newfangled tools I've found erase boards (or paper) are the fastest, lowest impact (time/DM distraction) method of tracking monster hit points and conditions. Tracking time; Mark off rounds of combat with tick marks, note when spell or effect will end. Generic note taker/reminder, e.g. "Door left open/if trap triggered, flood entire area." Note: Prices vary tremendously, shop around. I found large 23"x35" magnetic dry erase boards for $20-30 at Target, over $100 other places. Use as is or remove frame and scribe a square grid on it and bam, awesometastic play surface! It's worth getting a magnetic one.
</pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; white-space: normal;"><pre style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">
</pick></pre><div></div></span></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">I've had great success with marking "tracks" on a square gridded magnetic dry erase sheet. Combined with <a href="http://www.aleatools.com/">Alea Tools</a> magnetic markers. One under mini, one on each track (e.g. hit points and initiative). Kind of depends how fast/loose your system is if this amount of setup/props is worth it. It really speeds up the grittier / more detailed combat systems. For example it rocks for keeping track of Hackmaster Basic's continuous initiative. Since it's dry erase, can mark right on the time track spell/effect durations, etc. </pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">
</pick></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">
</pick></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS_Gm5ksRkSkeYssFc7DfkHI6WwLYaXLFV8y2Xa1oz88JwDtk48nFXJMfmlWYlc0OpscaeA4Z2vaiCaurG4nK0TYN812Tf9ta2VNPzUv0Jcu-n4muypCxUbPw6cmeNrS6ptsJQTpGZFuh/s1600/sm20101102_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpS_Gm5ksRkSkeYssFc7DfkHI6WwLYaXLFV8y2Xa1oz88JwDtk48nFXJMfmlWYlc0OpscaeA4Z2vaiCaurG4nK0TYN812Tf9ta2VNPzUv0Jcu-n4muypCxUbPw6cmeNrS6ptsJQTpGZFuh/s320/sm20101102_001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">
<b>Tokens, Tokens, Everywhere
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Glass beads, stones, plastic doodads, and other tokens. Kind of mixed results with these. My first token idea was to have a visual representation of the characters' health. Without the verisimilitude destroying role call of "who's down how many hit points". But, without knowing total hit points, a pile of beads representing damage taken didn't help much. The reverse, handing out beads equal to hit points and then removing them as damage taken is better for knowing who's in danger of death but doesn't show how far a character is "down". Also, hit point totals are so high in 3.X (system I DM'd during my "glass beads for everything!" period) that tracking / counting beads was a chore, even when using different beads to represent larger increments, 5hp. The opposite of the "quick glance" to know character's health idea I had.
</pick></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">What to track?
Hit points: Meh, see above. With a lower hit point system, using piles of beads to track monsters hit points as DM might be manageable. But, with lower hit points systems there's less to track. [hmmmm, a reason I'm attracted towards the "smaller" systems, ya think?].
Spell/Effect durations: The spell "Greater Awesomeness" lasts 4 rounds. Recipient of spell grabs 4 beads and at start of each round returns one. No more beads, no more awesomeness. But, see <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/05/tracking-durations-of-effects.html">Tracking Durations</a> which removes need to track effects.
Gold/Treasure: Never tried this myself. Would want different tokens for different denominations. But, gold comes in too large amounts and tracking it from minute to minute is not so important/has no great fun or game impact. </pick></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">
Mana/Spell/Psionics points: Again, never used this [haven't used a spell point system recently. But, when I do I'll totally drag out the tokens!] This is one application were tokens would really shine. Verily, if the system is one where points are regained and spent frequently. A reason people moan when "magic point" systems are mentioned is that tracking points is a pain. </pick></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">
In conclusion.</pick></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">
</pick></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><pick here="" of="" tracks="">It's neat to have a tactile whatsit for players to hold and relate to. OTOH, tokens are a bit fiddly and get lost amongst the typical game table's detritus. I suggest picking one or at most two things to track with tokens. When used for everything it is just too confusing what token means what and game devolves into one of token wrangling. If the thing being tracked requires more than a couple tokens supplying each player with a small dish, jar, or some such container to hold their tokens helps managing them. I used empty jars of delicious mustard.
<b>All In</b></pick></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.alert-bridgeshop.nl/images/PokerChips.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.alert-bridgeshop.nl/images/PokerChips.gif" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">Poker chips worked great for awarding XP during game (which mattered cause XP could be spent on things like re-rolls, and plot modifications (btw, that idea was fail. Players are loath to spend XP)). Poker chips could be used for anything tokens are used for with the benefit that denominations are printed on each chip. Every western RPG should be using, some how, poker chips (and some sort of Poker Hand resolution mechanic).
</pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hw2B8peNfNGIsFcyoCMdLsnZnbD7JkfJFy2GKKu5r3xqFLly1WHqjmSEXBykbzxn3Nv15fkp4Zt7fPdn0YGPrafI_vZlTKuIV64ntNkE9oWWdNWhw8y105CBX_YG30aUvSlJFdaJskJX/s1600/dungeonscreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hw2B8peNfNGIsFcyoCMdLsnZnbD7JkfJFy2GKKu5r3xqFLly1WHqjmSEXBykbzxn3Nv15fkp4Zt7fPdn0YGPrafI_vZlTKuIV64ntNkE9oWWdNWhw8y105CBX_YG30aUvSlJFdaJskJX/s1600/dungeonscreen.jpg" /></a></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><b>Is It My Turn?
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3.x style initiative is complex. The order changes often and unless everyone can easily see their initiative play bogs down. Folded bits of card stock with name of player/"dm monster group" set on top of DM screen is by far the best 3.x initiative tracking system I have ever used. You want the cards to not be too big so they easily fit on screen, half of a 3x5 works well.
<picture cards="" of="" screen="" with="">
<b>Wake Up, Time to Die
</b></picture></pre><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/105160_front200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.hardwarestore.com/media/product/105160_front200.jpg" /></a></div><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">Timers, originally an egg timer which I still prefer. They build tension as the players watch the grains slowly run out. These days various phones and handheld devices have timers. 1min & 3min timers is what I have and find most useful.
When a player or group is suffering analysis paralysis / stuck in cycle of argument throw down the timer and declare "Decide on an action before the sands run out or fate will decide for you." If it comes to it, what "fate" decides depends on style of DM/campaign and situation. Anything from wandering monster attack, to DM deciding, to player's turn being skipped in combat, to the bad guys get away with the loot.
Another good use of timers is when players are making overly "extensive" plans in situations where the characters have only a second or two to think. This builds tension and conveys the dangerous, uncertain atmosphere that poking around ancient crypts should have. Similarly, the thrill of traps, flooding rooms, gas, crushing walls, etc. is magnified when there's a real life time limit until, squish!.
Index Card Mania!
I'm in love with index cards. They, along with dry erase, are the two most used and useful game aides in my DM arsenal. My biggest problem is wrangling them at the game table. They get mixed up/lost under maps, books and the like.
</pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">Get a card holder, or three!
For some games a notecard is all that's needed for a character sheet. In others a 3x5 card is handy for significant followers and henchmen. In all games they are perfect for passing "secrets". Such as revealing to the thief what they've found (and for thief to secretly reply what goes "missing" before the party has a look in the treasure chest).
Folded into a "tent" with character's name for better verisimilitude at pickup / convention games. Folded into a "tent" and labeled with various conditions (stunned, blind, silenced) they provide very visible reminder to DM and other players (ahem cleric, over here!)
I personally find it easy and quick to read over bullet points on a card, put it down, formulate the scene/npc/whatever in my mind and then describe it to players. I use multicolored cards, each color for a different "level" of detail. A stack of these cards and a map is often how I "write" an adventure. </pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">Regional environments; "Silvertown", "Scupi Basin", "Vervigis's Lab". Each has bullet points for the 5 senses, weather, unique things and other notes to help me set the mood of the area. Custom encounter tables on the back. Reused whenever characters are in that area.
Scenes and encounters; "Foyer of Misdirection", "Meeting Vervigis", "Gnoll Raid". This will have a few bullet points for description like the regional environment cards. A list creatures(just # and names, stat blocks on their own card) / whatever the scene challenge is. On the back is post encounter loot/reward/aftermath.
Conversations; When there might be some big exposition or role-play with NPC's a "conversation card" with notes and probable phrases/questions/answers comes in handy.
Rule cards; For instance a card with rules for desert weather/heat effects when you know the party is getting lost in the desert. Clipped to DM screen it is a handy reference. A poor man's customizable screen.</pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"></pre><pre style="white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;">Of course, a DM's craft is never perfected. If you have any suggestions for game aids, any reports of some trick that's worked well, feel free to let me know about it in the comments.</pre>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-34896440513935436432010-05-24T21:50:00.000-07:002010-12-17T07:51:52.053-08:00Stats from Scratch #1: Strength, Dexterity, ConstitutionI'm not satisfied with the original array of six character abilities of D&D. I picture ability scores as representing the major, fundamental qualities of a character, and while the original six are serviceable in this regard, they don't perfectly jibe with what I'm going for. Some abilities seem over-broad in what they encompass, whereas others seem somewhat ill-suited for the purpose they serve. In this post, I'm going reexamine ability scores from the ground up, trying to keep the flavor of D&D in mind.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The first three abilities: Strength, Dexterity, and Constitution actually do correlate rather well to the respective areas of prowess for a fictitious character. STR gives an overall picture of a character's power, and is typically used for those checks I would expect. Swinging a greatsword? Breaking a door? Pulling a comrade to the top of the castle wall? It helps to be strong. You could quibble that some people are stronger in their upper body than in the lower body, and vice versa, but even I think that's going too far.<br />
<br />
Likewise CON seems a natural fit for determining whether the fighter is able to resist that exotic disease contracted in the lizardman swamps, or whether the rogue succumbs to the poison from the trap he foolishly tripped. But what about CON checks to keep performing some strenuous activity? That seems more like stamina, or some measure of general physical fitness than some inherent, unchangeable resistance. I would think it's much easier to train oneself to run long distances than it is to train oneself to be resistant to extreme temperatures, or to disease or poison. So maybe instead of just CON, we tease out another ability: STAMINA.<br />
<br />
For the time being, I will postpone facing a truly momentous choice: Which of those two stats contribute to HP? This question raises the further question of what do I consider HP to be, anyways? If HP represent bodily integrity, then CON should remain the modifying ability. If HP are more an abstract measure of fatigue level, luck and determination, then STA should be the relative score. Or are HP a mixture of both? That's another post.<br />
<br />
When we get to DEX we finally see what I think are two truly distinct concepts that have been crowded into one header. From the 3.5 SRD:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><br />
<blockquote>Dexterity measures hand-eye coordination, agility, reflexes, and balance. This ability is the most important one for<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"> <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/rogue.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >rogues</span></a></span>, but it’s also high on the list for characters who typically wear light or medium armor (<a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/ranger.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >rangers</span></a> and <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/barbarian.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >barbarians</span></a>) or no armor at all (<a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/monk.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" s>monks</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/sorcererWizard.htm#wizard" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >wizards</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/classes/sorcererWizard.htm#sorcerer" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >sorcerers</span></a>), and for anyone who wants to be a skilled archer.</blockquote><blockquote>You apply your character’s Dexterity modifier to:</blockquote><ul><li style="margin-top: 5px;"><blockquote>Ranged <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatStatistics.htm#attackRoll" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">attack rolls</span></a>, including those for attacks made with bows, crossbows, throwing axes, and other ranged weapons.</blockquote></li>
<li style="margin-top: 5px;"><blockquote>Armor Class (AC), provided that the character can react to the attack.</blockquote></li>
<li style="margin-top: 5px;"><blockquote><a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatStatistics.htm#reflex" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Reflex saving throws</span></a>, for avoiding <a class="spell" href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/spells/fireball.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">fireballs</span></a> and other attacks that you can escape by moving quickly.</blockquote></li>
<li style="margin-top: 5px;"><blockquote><a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/balance.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Balance</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/escapeArtist.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Escape Artist</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/hide.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Hide</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/moveSilently.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Move Silently</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/openLock.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Open Lock</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/ride.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Ride</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/sleightOfHand.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span">Sleight of Hand</span></a>, <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/tumble.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Tumble</span></a>, and <a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/useRope.htm" style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" >Use Rope</span></a> checks. These are the skills that have Dexterity as their key ability.</blockquote></li>
</ul><br />
<br />
Dexterity would certainly be of use in attempting to pick a lock, steal a wallet or aim a crossbow, but has nothing to do with dodging away from a blow from a mace, or jumping out of the way of falling rocks, or running along a narrow ledge. Those are all examples of AGILITY based action. One could even argue that you can drill down even further and separate out those tasks for which base SPEED is needed. That might be a more satisfying way of imagining the way heavy armor decreases the contribution of DEX/AGL/SPD to AC. The heavier your load, the slower you are. And maybe other armor affects AGL, more, being bulky but light. Either way, rolling SPEED would finally break the questionable convention that has EVERY human being just as fast as EVERY OTHER human of the same class, and the same for all other races.<br />
<br />
So here I am at the end of this post, having talked myself into greatly expanding the first three "physical" stats from 3 to 6. Here's a first stab at what they may look like, taking into account some other house rules I'm toying with:<br />
<br />
<ol><li><b>Strength </b>- Sheer physical might. Useful in lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying a load, swinging/throwing a weapon, wrestling.Add this bonus to melee attack and damage rolls, checks like Jump and Swim</li>
<li><b>Constitution </b>- Intestinal fortitude, raw physical resilience and health.When rolling on the <a href="http://theparadigmtraveler.blogspot.com/2010/04/when-hp-are-not-physical-damage.html">Death and Dismemberment table</a>, add this modifier and a cumulative -1 penalty for each subsequent roll. Also use this modifier for Fortitude Saves against poison, disease and the like. Do not use for Concentration checks (or Magic Frenzy checks). Will use another mental stat.</li>
<li><b>Stamina </b>- Physical fitness, endurance, staying power. This is the main modifier to HP; add double this modifier to HP every level. (Yup, I'm thinking about doing away with Hit Dice altogether). Also use this modifier for all checks to continue some tiring activity, such as running distances.</li>
<li><b>Dexterity</b> - Hand-eye coordination, fine motor skills. Use this as a modifier for attack rolls with ranged weapons, and also for damage if "taking aim". Also the prime ability for a host of thievy-type skills, like disable trap and picking pockets.</li>
<li><b>Agility </b> - Gross body control and balance; flexibility. Add this modifier to Armor Class, as well as to skills like balancing, tumbling, sneaking. Also use this for Reflex Saves.</li>
<li><b>Speed</b> - Quickness and fleetness of foot. Add this to Armor Class and Reflex Saves. This modifier also serves to modify base movement for the character. For every point in speed, the character moves 5" (or 1 square) faster. Other components of base movement are tied to race and (maybe) class.</li>
</ol><br />
<br />
Hmmm.... no sooner have I finished this list than I begin to wonder whether I shouldn't break it down a bit further. Speed and Agility are kin to, but not identical with, Reflexes. To give an example from baseball, a fielder needs more than just speed and agility to get to a batted ball, he also needs quick reflexes to start heading in the right direction as soon as the ball is hit. A first baseman may be relatively slow and lumbering, but have good enough reflexes to snag sharply hit balls that go his way. I thought this would be the easy half of the ability score reconceptualization, but it's not turning out that way. Kind of exciting, actually.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-77588816072018007872010-05-18T11:54:00.000-07:002010-05-18T11:55:06.636-07:00One-shot After-action Analysis #1: Too much information!<style>
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</style>Recently I ran an original one-shot adventure for 4 players using D&D 3.5 edition rules. This was the third time I'd ever GM'd a game session, and only the second time I'd run D&D. It was also the first time I'd had more than two players. Was it a success? Well, I at least succeeded in learning a lot about the art of directing a game. In order to ensure this knowledge doesn't slip away, this is the first in a series of posts exploring my lessons learned.<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Two of my players had extensive experience with the 3.5 rules. I think they hadn't played this edition in some time, but everything was just review. My other two players were almost completely new to the game, having played only one or two previous sessions combined. In the week leading up to the game, one of the latter players (call him "Sam") discussed with me his character options. Sam was inspired to play a flashing, darting swordsman, but also was curious about playing a cleric. Sam had never before played a spellcaster of any stripe. He asked me my opinion, and I suggested he play both. My thinking was that while playing two characters is a little more work than playing only one, the fact that one was a fighter meant that there wouldn't be too much more to track than had Sam only played the cleric.<br />
<br />
It didn't quite work out that way. While I thought Sam did an excellent job running both characters during the game, his comments after the session ended showed that he had to spend so much attention making sure he played the characters effectively that he didn't have any time to just enjoy the game. He remarked that he needed frequently to refer to his character sheets, to the point where he basically had his head buried in stats for the majority of each encounter.<br />
<br />
I was so intent on making sure that everyone had something to do to entertain them, that I gave Sam too much. So here are the takeaways:<br />
<br />
<ol><li><b>When introducing a new player to a system, just give them one character.</b><br />
<br />
Players are going to have enough to handle learning the basic mechanics of a new game or new edition of a familiar game without also having to juggle multiple characters at once. Even if players are able to pull it off, and are able to run the characters effectively in and out of combat, there is a strong chance that this won’t be done with the ease and comfort that allows one to enjoy the experience.<br />
</li>
<li><b> Lean toward giving your new player a class he/she knows.</b><br />
<br />
It’s a good idea to give new players a character class with which they are familiar. This will allow the player to concentrate more on learning the rules of the new system, rather than being bogged down by the intricacies of an unfamiliar class. The player will also be able to compare and contrast how the familiar class plays in the two systems, and will have a better foundation to both understand and evaluate the new rules.<br />
<br />
If the new player instantly comprehends the nuances of the game, you can always let him introduce another character later for him to run, in addition to the initial PC. But some players are loath to abandon a character once they’ve invested the time to roll him up and play him a bit, even if it’s something of a burden. It’s hard to judge how much new material a particular player can comfortably handle, but it’s better to build slowly on a firm foundation than rush to finish a shaky building.</li>
</ol>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-43310430712220101882010-05-05T00:24:00.000-07:002010-05-05T00:29:53.857-07:00Pregen Chars: Elven Wizard (Evoker)Stats below the jump<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a name='more'></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">Male Gray Elf Evoker 3<br />
Chaotic Good<br />
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<br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><table><tbody>
<tr width="100%"><td width="50%"><table><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Strength</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">(+0)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dexterity</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">17</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">(+3)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Constitution</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">11</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">(+0)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Intelligence</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">19</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">(+4)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wisdom</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">11</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">(+0)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Charisma</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">(+0)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td width="50%"><table><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Size:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Medium</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Height:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">5' 1"</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Weight:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">105 lb</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Skin:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Light</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Eyes:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Amber</span></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hair:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Silver; Wavy; Beardless</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Specialty: Evocation<br />
Gave up: Illusion Necromancy<br />
Total Hit Points: 10<br />
Speed: 30 feet<br />
Armor Class: 13 = 10 +3 [dexterity]<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>Touch AC: 13 Flat-footed: 10</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Initiative modifier:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+3</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= +3 [dexterity]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Fortitude save:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= 1 [base]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Reflex save:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+4</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= 1 [base] +3 [dexterity]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Will save:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+3</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= 3 [base]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Attack (handheld):</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= 1 [base]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Attack (unarmed):</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= 1 [base]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Attack (missile):</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+4</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= 1 [base] +3 [dexterity]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Grapple check:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">= 1 [base]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Light load:<br />
Medium load:<br />
Heavy load:<br />
Lift over head:<br />
Lift off ground:<br />
Push or drag:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">33 lb. or less<br />
34-66 lb.<br />
67-100 lb.<br />
100 lb.<br />
200 lb.<br />
500 lb.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Languages:</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Common Draconic Elven Gnoll Goblin Orc</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Dagger [1d4, crit 19-20/x2, range inc 10 ft., 1 lb., light, piercing]<br />
Quarterstaff [1d6/1d6, crit x2, 4 lb., two-handed, bludgeoning]<br />
Light Crossbow [1d8, crit 19-20/x2, range inc 80 ft., 4 lb, piercing]]<br />
No familiar yet<br />
<br />
Feats:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><table><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spell Focus (Evocation)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Greater Spell Focus (Evocation)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Scribe Scroll</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">[free to wizard]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></ul>Traits:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>Focused Skinny</ul><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><center><i>Skill Name</i></center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><center><i>Key<br />
Ability</i></center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><center><i>Skill<br />
Modifier</i></center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><center><i>Ability<br />
Modifier</i></center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><center><i>Ranks</i></center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><center><i>Misc.<br />
Modifier</i></center></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Appraise</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Balance</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dex*</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+3</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Bluff</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Climb</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Str<sup>*</sup></span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Concentration</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Con</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+6</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1 [focused]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Craft_1</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Craft_2</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Craft_3</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Decipher Script</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+6</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Diplomacy</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Disguise</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Escape Artist</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dex<sup>*</sup></span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+3</center></span></td><td></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1 [skinny]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Forgery</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">4 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Gather Information</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Heal</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Hide</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dex<sup>*</sup></span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+3</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Intimidate</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Jump</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Str<sup>*</sup></span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Knowledge (arcana)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">10 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+6</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Knowledge (architecture)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+3</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Knowledge (geography)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+3</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Knowledge (nature)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">5 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Knowledge (planes)</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">7 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+3</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Listen</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">1 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">-1 [focused] <span style="font-family: Arial;">+2 [elf]</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Move Silently</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dex<sup>*</sup></span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+3</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perform_1</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perform_2</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perform_3</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perform_4</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Perform_5</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Ride</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dex</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+3</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Search</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">6 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+2 [elf]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Sense Motive</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spellcraft</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">12 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+4</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+6</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+2 [Knowledge, arcane]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Spot</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">2 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">+1</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">-1 [focused] <span style="font-family: Arial;">+2 [elf]</span></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Survival</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Swim</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Str<sup>**</sup></span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">0 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+0</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Use Rope</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;">Dex</span></td><td align="right"><span style="font-family: Arial;">3 =</span></td><td><span style="font-family: Arial;"><center>+3</center></span></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
* = check penalty for wearing armor<br />
Skinny trait: -2 on strength checks to avoid being overrun / bullrushed.<br />
<br />
Zero-level Evoker spells: 5 (4+1) per day<br />
Save DC = 16<br />
Spells Known: <i>Dancing Lights, Daze, Detect Magic, Flare, Light, Mage Hand, Mending, Message, Prestidigitation, Ray of Frost, Read Magic, </i><br />
<img src="http://www.pathguy.com/spellbar.gif" /><br />
First-level Evoker spells: 4 (2+1+1) per day<br />
Save DC = 17<br />
Spells Known: <i>Animate Rope, Burning Hands, Hold Portal, Mage Armor, Magic Missile, Magic Weapon, Shield, Shocking Grasp, Sleep, Tenser's Floating Disk, Unseen Servant</i><br />
<img src="http://www.pathguy.com/spellbar.gif" /><br />
Second-level Evoker spells: 3 (1+1+1) per day<br />
Save DC = 18<br />
Spells Known: <i>Bear's Endurance, Bull's Strength, Darkness, Eagle's Splendor, Flaming Sphere, Gust of Wind, Rope Trick, Scorching Ray, Touch of Idiocy, Web</i><br />
<img src="http://www.pathguy.com/spellbar.gif" /><br />
<br />
Gray Elf:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li>+2 dexterity / +2 intelligence / -2 strength / -2 constitution (already included)</li>
<li>Immune to magical sleep</li>
<li>+2 racial bonus to saves vs. enchantments</li>
<li>Low-light vision</li>
<li>Proficient with longsword, rapier, longbow & shortbow</li>
<li>+2 racial bonus on listen, search, and spot checks</li>
<li>Notice secret doors, automatically gets search check when passing w/in 5 ft of a secret door</li>
</ul>Wizard (Evoker):<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul><li>Familiar / Alertness, etc.</li>
<li>Bonus Feats (already included)</li>
<li>High intelligence gains bonus spells daily</li>
<li>Specialist gets 1 extra evocation spell/level/day</li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"> </span></ul></span></span></span>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-83619063660770757172010-05-04T23:19:00.000-07:002010-05-04T23:39:07.996-07:00Pregen Chars: Dwarven Fighter<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is the first installment of 3rd level pre-generated characters for a 3.x one-shot. Stats below the jump.</span><br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Male Gold Dwarf Fighter 3<br />
Lawful Neutral</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr width="100%"><td width="50%"><table><tbody>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Strength</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">18</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(+4)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dexterity</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(+0)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Constitution</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">18</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(+4)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intelligence</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">9</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(-1)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wisdom</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">11</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(+0)</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Charisma</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">12</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(+1)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td><td width="50%"><table><tbody>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Size:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Medium</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Height:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3' 11"</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weight:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">200 lb</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skin:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tan</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Eyes:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Black</span></td></tr>
<tr><td valign="top"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hair:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dark Brown; Straight; Thick Beard / Hirsute</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Total Hit Points: 32</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Speed: 20 feet</span></b><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Armor Class: 16 = 10 +6 [banded mail]</span></b><br />
<ul><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Touch AC: 10 Flat-footed AC: 16</span></b></ul><br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Initiative modifier:</span></b></td><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></b></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= +0 [dexterity]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fortitude save:</span></b></td><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+7</span></b></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= 3 [base] +4 [constitution]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Reflex save:</span></b></td><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></b></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= 1 [base]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will save:</span></b></td><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></b></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= 1 [base]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attack (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">greataxe</span>):</span></b></td><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+8</span></b></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= 3 [base] +4 [str] +1 [Wpn Fcs]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attack (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">melee</span>):</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+7</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= 3 [base] +4 [strength]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Attack (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">missile</span>):</span></b></td><td><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+3</span></b></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= 3 [base]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Grapple check:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+7</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">= 3 [base] +4 [strength]</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Light load:<br />
Medium load:<br />
Heavy load:<br />
Lift over head:<br />
Lift off ground:<br />
Push or drag:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">100 lb. or less<br />
101-200 lb.<br />
201-300 lb.<br />
300 lb.<br />
600 lb.<br />
1500 lb.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
<table><tbody>
<tr><td valign="top"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Languages:</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Common, Dwarven</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heavy Crossbow [1d10, crit 19-20/x2, r/i 120 ft., 8 lb., piercing]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Short Sword [1d6+4, crit 19-20/x2, 1 lb, light, piercing]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Greataxe [1d12+6, crit x3, 12 lb, two-handed, slashing]</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Banded mail [heavy; +6 AC; max dex +0; chk pen -6; 45 lb.]</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Feats:</span><br />
<ul><table><tbody>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Power Attack </span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cleave</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Improved Bull Rush</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weapon Focus x1</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weapon(s): Greataxe</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table></ul><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Power Attack:</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> This character to subtract from 1 to 3 points from his Attack Bonus and add the same number of points to his Damage Bonus. If this character is using a two handed weapon, such as the Greataxe, he adds </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">double</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> the number of points to his Damage Bonus. For example, when this character uses a Greataxe he normally adds 8 to his Attack Roll to determine whether he hits his target. He can instead choose to only add 5 to his Attack Roll, and can then add 6 to the Damage Roll of a successful hit. So on a successful hit he would do 1d12+12 damage.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cleave: </span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If this character deals a creature enough damage to make it drop (typically by dropping it to below 0 hit points or killing it), he gets an immediate, extra melee attack against another creature within reach. He cannot take a 5-foot step before making this extra attack. The extra attack is with the same weapon and at the same bonus as the attack that dropped the previous creature. You can use this ability once per round.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Improved Bull Rush</span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When this character perform a </span><a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#bullRush" style="color: #000066; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">bull rush</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> you do not provoke an </span><a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/attacksOfOpportunity.htm" style="color: #000066; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">attack of opportunity</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> from the defender. You also gain a +4 bonus on the opposed Strength check you make to push back the defender.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Weapon Focus: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You gain a +1 bonus on all </span><a href="http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/combatStatistics.htm#attackRoll" style="color: #000066; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">attack rolls</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> you make using the selected weapon.</span></span></b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Traits:</span><br />
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abrasive: Ornery curmudgeon</span></ul><table><tbody>
<tr><td><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skill Name</span></i></center></td><td><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Key<br />
Ability</span></i></center></td><td><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Skill<br />
Modifier</span></i></center></td><td><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ability<br />
Modifier</span></i></center></td><td><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ranks</span></i></center></td><td><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<center><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Misc.<br />
Modifier</span></i></center></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Appraise</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1</span></center></td><td></td><td><br />
</td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Balance</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dex*</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-6 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0 </span></center></td><td></td><td> -6 [armor check]</td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Bluff</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 [abrasive]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Climb</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Str</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*</span></sup></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+4</span></center></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+2</span></td><td>-6 [armor check]</td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Concentration</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Con</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">4 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+4</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Craft_1</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Craft_2</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Craft_3</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Diplomacy</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 [abrasive]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disguise</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Escape Artist</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dex</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*</span></sup></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-6 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td> -6 [armor check]</td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Forgery</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Gather Information</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Handle Animal</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">3 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+2</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Heal</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hide</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dex</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*</span></sup></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-6 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td> -6 [armor check]</td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Intimidate</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1 [abrasive]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Jump</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Str</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*</span></sup></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-8 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+4</span></center></td><td></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-12 [spd 20, arm chk]</span></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Listen</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Move Silently</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dex</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">*</span></sup></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-6 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td> -6 [armor check]</td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perform_1</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perform_2</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perform_3</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perform_4</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perform_5</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cha</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ride</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dex</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">2 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+2</span></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Search</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Int</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-1</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sense Motive</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Spot</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Survival</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wis</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Swim</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Str</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">**</span></sup></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">-8 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+4</span></center></td><td></td><td> -12 [2x armor check]</td></tr>
<tr><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Use Rope</span></td><td><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dex</span></td><td align="right"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">0 =</span></td><td><center><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+0</span></center></td><td></td><td></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* = check penalty for wearing armor</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dwarf:</span><br />
<br />
<ul><li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Can move 20 feet even if in heavy armor</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Stonecunning (+2 on searching stone, intuit depth)</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+1 racial bonus to hit orcs and goblinoids<br />
</span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+2 bonus vs. Poison, Spells, and Spell-like effects</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+4 dodge bonus on AC against giants</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+4 stability bonus to avoid being tripped/bull rushed standing on solid ground</span></li>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">+2 racial bonus on appraise checks if stone/metal</span></li>
</ul><ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px;"> </span></span></span></ul><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px;"><br />
</span></div><ul></ul>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-9861076058569602462010-04-21T09:12:00.000-07:002010-04-21T09:47:00.202-07:00Twingol's Tales: Aurora Campaign Chronicle #2Year of the Bounding Lamb, 5th Waning, Day 4 – The Escaped Rout Pt. II.<br />
<br />
Ah, there is nothing like the aroma of a cool Spring morning! The crisp air invigorates the body, and the sounds of the songbirds clear away the shadows and cobwebs from a burdened soul! I have always relished greeting the sun as he first peers over the horizon, though it appears that several of my compatriots find more comfort in the embrace of their bedrolls. The only two who are awake, besides myself, are Sir Ravenmantle and Lady Proudfinger. She kneels in prayer, arms raised in supplication towards her God. She spends far more time praising her God and interceding for others than I would think necessary; certainly more than any other novitiate I've known. It seems to work for her, though, and her demeanor can be like a soothing balm after a hard day. Sir Ravenmantle certainly appreciates it. He's supposed to be keeping the final watch of the night for the whole camp, but I suspect were we to fall under attack, his priority would be to protect the holy woman. It's natural, I suppose; I believe they were traveling together before they fell in with the doomed militia. <br />
<br />
Hmmm... I should probably be memorizing spells, but my mind is still awhirl with the events of the previous day. So While my friends slumber, I'm glad to take this opportunity resume my account of the yesterday's madness, in hopes that doing so will give rest to my troubled thoughts.<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
When last we left your heroes, they (we) had escaped by the whiskers of our chins from a massacre in Boscogne Pass. We fled down into a system of caves, with several of our party guarding our retreat. Last to disengage was Squire Scott, a warrior whose combat prowess is exceeded only by his estimation of his combat prowess.<br />
<br />
Once the good Squire had caught up to the rest of us, and it became apparent we would not be followed further by friend or foe, we continued deeper into the caves. Down and down again we went, through the twisting network of branching tunnels. Zeb's weasel familiar was a perpetual sniffing machine, constantly testing the air for the scent of moisture, or other, less pleasant, odors. The minutes stretched to hours until the Pig Farmer cried out in shock and alarm. A fleeting surge of annoyance drained away as I saw what prompted the outburst. Lying crumpled in a side-tunnel were the dessicated remains of a long dead... something. It was a humanoid of some sort; man or elf, judging by the size. Time and scavangers had scoured the bones clean; no hint of flesh or hair was visible. Curiously, the leather armor still worn by the corpse seemed on first inspection to still be in perfect condition. Zeb was the first to notice this, and quickly relieved the deceased of it's defensive garments. Upon donning the leather, it seemed to shrink to fit the mage's slight frame. Zeb cackled with glee. A valuable find, though I must confess I failed to see the cause for such delight. That stiff leather would play havoc with his spellcasting.<br />
<br />
The mage was not alone in divesting the body of its' possessions. Slarti quickly overcame his fright and seized a small pouch that lay tied to skeleton's belt. What it contained, I could not say, as it instantly vanished down the farmer's own pouch. Slarti also picked up a scabbard and sword, rusty though they were. <br />
<br />
We continued onward until we encountered a small cavern, about 30' or so in diameter, that abutted the side of the tunnel. The chamber was filled with water; apparently the weasel's nose had found an underground lake. Sir Ravenmantle leaned over the edge of the water to peer into the depths below. He turned around, grinning through a thick layer of grime and gore. "Fish! Pale and small, but fish nonetheless!" I think it was the first time I'd ever seen him smile. Now, you might wonder why mere fish would elicit such an excited response, but you have to understand that none of us were carrying much in the way of rations. Since a basic assumption of the battleplan had been that we would execute a fighting retreat back through Boscogne Pass, all of our supplies packs had been left at the main camp. The camp that had, by that time, been overrun by the invading horde. In fact, even now I grind my teeth at the thought of some thick-witted ogre devouring my little stash of cured hams and smoked cheeses graciously given to us by the Lord Gimideen.<br />
<br />
"Excellent," smirked Zeb. "Now we just need a hook, a line, and some bait. Anyone happen to have that with them? I'm fresh out." "Ah, little man, that's only if you want to CATCH fish!" came Beorn's booming reply. "The Hrölgundr are not ones to sit idly by and hope to trick the little fish into hopping onto the plate. We HUNT them!" Zeb arched an eyebrow. "Oh? And how do you go about 'hunting' fish?" Beorn smiled broadly as pride swelled out his chest. He always delighted in rambling on and on about his tribe, named the Hrölgundr, if you hadn't guessed. "With net and with spear! Here, I will show y--" Beorn broke off as he reached for something behind his upper back, and grasped only air. The blood drained from his face, and his eyes stared straight ahead in shock.<br />
<br />
Bollocks.<br />
<br />
To understand what happened next, gentle reader, I need to explain something about Hrölgundr warrior society. I know, I know, who wants to know about the ettiquette of savages, but bear with me. The lesson, and the pain, will be short. Every Hrölgundr warrior carries with him a spear. Whenever a warrior enters battle (not including the tradtional tavern brawl before bedtime), he casts the spear far over the heads of the enemy, to land upright behind them. He does not miss on purpose, this is a symbolic act proclaiming his will to victory. He declares that he will not run, he will not surrender, he will fight through all who are arrayed against him to recover his spear. Naturally, these spears are highly prized and personal possessions. Hrölgundr warriors frequently decorate them with tokens of past conquests, whether it's the ear of a vanquished foe, a tattered shred of enemy banner, or just a small notch carved into the shaft. To lose one's spear is to bring great shame upon one's self in the eyes of the tribe, who then will view that one as a coward. <br />
<br />
As Beorn had now realized, and as you have now surmised, the big oaf had lost his spear. <br />
<br />
Now, don't judge him a coward. In the days that I've known him, Beorn has proved as brave as any sane man. When he cast his spear, I'm certain he had every intention of hewing his way through to reclaim it. Beorn's problem is two-fold, and very unusual for his people. He is, first, not stupid. Not smart, mind you, but he recognizes the benefits of a tactical repositioning. Thus he was willing to duck into the caves to avoid being caught out in the open and surrounded by a vastly superior force. Many of his people believe any plan beyond "charge and attack" is unnecessary and unmanly, so give Beorn points for being more open-minded. <br />
<br />
Tragically, he is also quite absent-minded. Or, more accurately, he tends to forget that which is not his current focus. I'm certain that when he entered the caves, he was focused like a ray on avoiding a tactically unsound position, and once inside the caves, his attention shifted to navigating the twisting tunnels. Only now that his attention has wandered back to his spear does he realize that he has left both it and the battlefield far behind. This kind of problem, in various forms, has actually plagued him for quite some time, and is the reason for his travels. Beorn has confided in me that he's lost his spear several times before, though never quite like this. Once, after a particularly hard fought battle, he immediately began celebrating his victory. Someone handed him a skin of mead, and his mind was flooded with drink, drowning all other thoughts. Upon sobering up the next day, he found to his horror that the spear had been burned on a pyre along with the corpses of the fallen. On another occasion, Beorn related how he once launched his spear, completely unmindful that his opponents had been backed up to a cliff overlooking the sea. The spear arced beautifully up and over the enemy, and then down to the rocky waters below. Beorn was so stunned by the unexpected loss, he didn't attempt to defend against the first sword thrust his way, and barely survived the encounter.<br />
<br />
The only way the compatriots in his tribe could make sense of this was to decide that he must be cursed as unlucky. Born under an evil moon. His skill in combat was undeniable, so a doomed fate was the only reasonable explanation. His own people began, if not to shun him, at least to give him a wide berth. Beorn was tormented, and decided that he must go in search of a truly great victory to prove his worth, and to show that his forgetfulness was a mere trifle, not an ill omen. So he cut a new spear, and had been adventuring with it many months since.<br />
<br />
Until now.<br />
<br />
"Lost something, big fella?" asked Zeb, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. Beorn glanced at him, glanced at me, then looked back toward the tunnel we'd come through. The blood flooded back to his face, now with reinforcements. On my honor, it looked like his stomach had cast a fireball at his head. "MY SPEAR!!!" he roared, and started towards the rear tunnel. I dove for his legs, and managed to grab one before he got going. I had been dreading this moment since we first made out escape, so Beorn's reaction was not unanticipated. If he somehow made it back to the pass, he'd either be slaughtered or tortured into guiding the enemy to our position. More likely, he'd just get lost forever beneath this mountain. Either way, I'd be losing a friend, not to mention the only worthy fighter I trust right now.<br />
<br />
"Beorn!" I shouted "You can't go back now, we've got to keep moving!" <br />
<br />
"You know I have to go back!" came the strangled reply "You know what that spear means. Now let go or I'll kick you into that pool!" <br />
<br />
"I know you better than that, my friend. Come now, you'll find another spear, and adorn it with the scalps of a thousand giants! Besides, the Hrölgundr are not gnomes or dwarves, you'd never be able to find your way back to the pass alone."<br />
<br />
A malicious grin split his face.<br />
<br />
"Well then, little Twinkle, it looks like you've volunteered to be my guide!" and with that, he strode towards the rear cave, dragging me behind. Checkmated by a barbarian. Oh the shame!<br />
<br />
He took two steps when Squire Scott moved to block his way. "Hold, barbarian. A sharpened stick is not worth putting the lives of others at risk." <br />
<br />
"My life is my own, to do with as I please. Those who wish to continue on are welcome to their path. Farewell." Beorn's half step forward was matched by Scott's half step backwards, and with a ring of steel, a sword was pointing at the barbarian's chest.<br />
<br />
"It is not so simple as that, my friend. Your actions are foolhardy and imperil us all. I cannot allow that." Scotts voice was cool with the air of expected command.<br />
<br />
And again, Bollocks.<br />
<br />
Beorn is strong. Immensely strong. Immensely, impossibly, unimaginably strong, for a human. He is quite aware of this fact, and indeed, takes great pride in his physical strength. I've always thought that one reason he is always so jovial is due to his confidence that he's the strongest man alive. From my travels, I've never seen any reason to doubt him. Until, that is, we met Squire Montgomery Scott. Unbelievably, the good Squire is every bit as powerful as my friend, possibly even a bit stronger. Beorn, of course retains an unshakable faith in his superior might. But he's not blind, and he recognizes a rival when he sees one. In fact, given his search for a great victory, he's always actively looking for a strong foe, and were they not fighting a common enemy, Squire Scott would fit the bill nicely. You can see where this road is going.<br />
<br />
"We are not friends, knightling," Beorn gritted through clenched teeth. He drew his own sword. "Stand aside or I'll show you just how 'not friends' we are!"<br />
<br />
I began debating the wisdom of releasing my hold on Beorn's tree-trunk of a leg, when Lady Jane appeared from nowhere to interpose herself between the two giants, placing a hand on each of their blades. <br />
<br />
"That is enough! Squire Scott, drawing your weapon on a companion? Such conduct does not befit one who aspires to knighthood!"<br />
<br />
Scotts brow furrowed in frustration. "Milady, as the leader of C Company, this soldier is under my command, insubordination cannot be tolera--"<br />
<br />
"You have no command, good Squire! The force you led has been vanquished. You and I both know that C Company and the entire militia have been destroyed. All that's left are we few survivors, and it's our duty to stay alive long enough to warn the rest of the peoples that war is coming. We cannot do that if we begin shedding each others' blood. For the sake of your duty, lower your sword."<br />
<br />
A look of uncertainty wormed it's way onto Scott's expression; it was the first time I'd seen that happen.<br />
<br />
"Woohoo! You tell 'em, Lady Sweetcheeks! Oww!" Zeb's jeer earned him a rap on the head by Sir Ravenmantle's gauntleted fist, though the Paladin remained otherwise a stoic, but tensed, observer.<br />
<br />
Lady Jane gave no indication she'd heard, but instead turned around to address the barbarian. "And you Beorn son of Sigrun, though it pains me to say it, your spear is gone. You must accept that."<br />
<br />
"Lady, I cannot. That spear was no mere pointy stick! It was--"<br />
<br />
"I know what it was, Beorn. I know that it symbolized your defiance of the enemy, and your determination to press on and fight through no matter the odds. I know what the warspear means to you and your tribe because you told me yourself, remember?"<br />
<br />
With a mild shock, I realized that she must actually have listened to him those nights spent around the campfire when the militia was marching towards its eventual doom. Beorn had been his typical garrulous self, boasting endlessly of the glories of his people and his victories in combat. Most of the people subjected to these unsolicited lectures merely smiled and nodded their heads, tolerating the ramblings as preferable to an offended barbarian.<br />
<br />
But it appears at least one had paid attention.<br />
<br />
"Then Lady, you know I must reclaim it; for Tyr and my ancestors' honor."<br />
<br />
"Tyr is honored by warriors, not fools."<br />
<br />
Gasp! For a second, I thought I must have heard wrong. Then I surveyed the stunned expressions of all the onlookers, and knew my ears had not deceived me. Even Zeb's mouth was agape in shock. I felt light-headed, as one does looking down from a great height. Our little group was on the edge of disaster.<br />
<br />
Beorn's face clouded with surprise and anger. "Lady, do you say I am a fool?" he rumbled ominously.<br />
<br />
"I say that Tyr honors warriors who fight on against all odds. Warriors who are not daunted by any challenge. But returning now, alone, to an army encampment to recover your spear... that is nothing more than suicide. And for what? Will Tyr be pleased when your body is swarmed and broken by your foes? Will he invite you to his Greathall and drink to your pointless sacrifice? Or will he instead ask why you deserted your comrades in their time of need? Why you feared to face the REAL challenge? A horde of abominations is sweeping the land Provonce, and you yourself have seen its power. Will you strive to warn the peoples of Provonce, and the peoples of Nord, your homeland? Will you fight to rally them to meet this foe, to defeat it on the field of battle? Or will you take the easy way out and run to fall on the swords of a hundred orcs? We need you warrior; your people need you. Do not abandon the fight now."<br />
<br />
I must say, it was a clever tack. Doubt flickered in Beorn's eyes for the first time.<br />
<br />
"You speak and I hear, but still..." he began<br />
<br />
"Squire Scott. Sir Ravenmantle, excuse, please. Beorn, come aside for a moment. My next words are for your ears alone."<br />
<br />
With that, she took Beorn's wrist and led him a short distance away down the tunnel, just enough to be out of earshot. The rest of us were rooted where we stood; only Ravenmantle wore the ghost of a wry smile.<br />
<br />
I could not see nor hear what was said. I've some ability to read the lips of a speaker and discern what they say, but Lady Proudfinger's back was to us, and all I got from Beorn were fragments like: "But how did--", "When did--", "You couldn't know--". Not particularly helpful. His face revealed more, as it raced through surprise, confusion, attentiveness, thoughtfulness, resignation, and settled on resolution. When they rejoined us, Lady Proudfinger announced that Beorn would remain with us, and given the gravity of the situation, we should put this episode behind us and move forward. I blew a sigh of relief; that could have been ugly. The others began to relax, as well.<br />
<br />
"Oy, does rocks have eyes?"<br />
<br />
The group froze again, as we processed the bizarre query. The questioner was Slarti, the pig farmer. Ever the multi-tasker, he was simultaneously probing the pool with his spear, while vigorously scratching his ass.<br />
<br />
Squire Scott was annoyed. "What kind of damned fool question is that? Of course rocks don't have eyes, they're <b>rocks</b>."<br />
<br />
"O yeh? 'En 'ow come this one 'ere is lookin' at me?"<br />
<br />
At that moment, three large rocks burst through the surface of the water and reached for Zeb and the pig farmer with stony pincers. <br />
<br />
Zeb leaped backwards with a curse. Slarti fell squealing, as one pincer snapped his spear in two. Sir Ravenmantle reacted with practiced calm, drawing his sword and stepping between Slarti and the advancing monsters. Beorn and Squire Scott rushed up to aid Ravenmantle, the rancor of the previous incident momentarily forgotten. The creatures were mostly out of the water now, and their true nature became obvious. A squashed, ovoid carapace supported from beneath by a nest of spidery legs. Eyestalks poking through the front of the shell, twitching this way and that. Enormous pincers, the size of serving platters, reaching out to snap and clutch. They were giant crabs, with a mottled grey and dark green coloring that resembled the stone of the cavern. <br />
<br />
Ungh, and they smelled horrible!<br />
<br />
The ensuing fight was, as fights go, rather unnecessary, if you ask me. The stonecrabs looked exceeding sluggish afoot (if that's the proper term for it). I actually tracked the leisurely arrival of reinforcements in the form of an even larger stonecrab, possibly the King of Stonecrabia, which was more than twice as large as the other three. I'd wager it took the big crustacean a full two minutes to cover 20 feet. We could have simply walked away, none the worse for wear, but instead we stayed and slew. I suspect that given the tensions of the day, the warriors were glad to vent their frustration against a foe that didn't outnumber us 100 to 1. The three warriors hacked and slashed at will, and were easily able to avoid significant injury. They were surprised at one point when the smaller crabs spewed a noxious substance that temporarily sickened them, but again, the crabs were so slow they couldn't capitalize on this advantage.<br />
<br />
Zeb, Lady Proudfinger and I tried to assist as we could, but the three fighters obstructed our access to the violence. Slarti huddled on the cave floor, quietly sobbing. I can't blame the poor fool too much, little in his previous career as a pig farmer could have prepared him for the events of today.<br />
<br />
When the final blow fell, the Sir Ravenmantle and Squire Scott wiped down their weapons and began cleaning their armor. The noisome sludge the stonecrabs had eructed had a sticky, viscous character, and would not come off easily. Beorn, in one last fit of rage, actually ripped one large section of the King Stonecrab's carapace right off of the body, and cast it behind him to the tunnel behind. Apparently still feeling "in the moment", he next snapped one of the legs off at it's lowest joint. Holding this jagged limb high overhead, he bellowed "Somi af Tyr!", stumbled back to dry ground, and promptly went to sleep still clutching his prize.<br />
<br />
Not a bad idea, I thought, and settled down for a quick rest myself. Roughly a half hour later, Beorn was up again, cleaning out the crab shell and leg, and the rest of us were ready to forge ahead. Several twists and turns of the tunnel later, we were at another intersection. We were again testing the air to choose a path, when Sir Ravenmantle called for us to be silent. We listened. At first I could not hear it, but then my ears picked out the sounds of scuffling footfalls, echoing from the tunnel we'd just traversed. Quick glances all around showed all knew that several unknown somethings were headed our way. We slipped into position and awaited their arrival.<br />
<br />
A band of roughly 12-15 kobolds and goblins rounded a bend in the tunnel, saw us, and surged forward with a crazed battlecry. It was no contest. The three warriors, positioned so that the enemy could not make use of their superior forces, ruthlessly cut down the wild assailants. When the warriors would slice through one kobold on the front rank, another would just immediately step in. They didn't so much as launch a single slingstone at us, jostling against one another for the privilege of being slaughtered next.<br />
<br />
When the carnage was over, all kobolds and goblins save one lay dead on the floor. Squire Scott had bound the remaining enemy, and was attempting to interrogate it, but could only extract the information that the horde had planned to attack the town after going through the pass. The kobold mostly kept repeating how we were all already dead, and that when we did die he would feast on our flesh, eyeballs first, after raping the empty eye-sockets, etc., etc. I could have told the squire the questioning would bear no fruit; the look in the creature's own eyes, usually equal parts cunning and cowardice, burned with a fiery zeal, and confirmed my earlier suspicion. It had been <i>charmed</i>. Likely all the monsters that comprised the horde had been charmed. I flicked a glance at Zeb, to see if he had reached the same conclusion I had. His expression was unreadable, which I took to mean he HAD detected the effects of the <i>charm</i>, but was holding his tongue. Thinking this was perhaps wise, I decided to keep this knowledge to myself, as well.<br />
<br />
"Slit its throat," Zeb interjected. "It's told us all it will." <br />
<br />
"Are we savages?" sneered Squire Scott. "We will take him with us, and perhaps eventually he will see fit to loosen his tongue. Beorn! Hold the prisoner; I need more rope from my pack to fashion a leash." Scott shoved the gibbering creature across the room into Beorn's hands. Scott began rummaging through his supplies, when a loud snap ended the kobold's babbling. Scott spun around to see the kobold crumple to the floor, sightless eyes staring from a head twisted 180 degrees.<br />
<br />
"What was that?!" he demanded, glaring daggers at the barbarian.<br />
<br />
"Mercy," came the calm reply.<br />
<br />
"You call killing in cold blood an act of mercy?" This from Sir Ravenmantle, who, despite normally being a practical gnome, was after all still a paladin, with all their typical hangups.<br />
<br />
"What? No, not mercy for him, mercy for US. That little beast would have driven us insane with his non-stop prattle."<br />
<br />
The two stared at him a moment. Squire Scott broke the silence.<br />
<br />
"It appears we do indeed have a savage among our number," he said quietly.<br />
<br />
Beorn shrugged and turned to Zeb. "Which way now?"<br />
<br />
Another amused smile played on Zeb's lips. He clapped a hand on the barbarian's back. "This way, mighty warrior! This way!" he grinned, as off they strolled into a tunnel ahead.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-83702965958660217982010-04-15T17:53:00.000-07:002010-04-15T17:53:13.623-07:00When HP are not physical damageEveryone's been there. Your fighter is going toe-to-toe with an orc/ogre/owlbear/whatever. You hack him for 10 HP, he rakes you for 12, you chop at him for 7, he bites you for 3, and on and on. You trade blows back and forth until that magic moment when your hero goes from 1 HP to 0 (or fewer, depending on edition) HP. Last round he was fighting in top physical condition, now he's wormfood.<br />
<br />
This rather jarring transition has always bothered me. If HP represents physical integrity or health, then the loss of HP would seem to suggest strongly a concurrent loss of physical capacity of some sort. But that's never the case. Even with systems that use the "death due to massive damage" rule, if you make your save, the character suffers no ill effects. This is unsatisfying to both sides of my brain. The left hemisphere recoils at the idea of a warrior who accumulates vague, unsourced bloodstains on his armor, all the while slashing with gusto, until he just croaks cartoon-style. It's nonsensical. The right hemisphere pipes up that's also booooring.<br />
<br />
The problem is that if you get rid of HP, and you go to a more realistic injury system, you're going to be rolling up new characters every other encounter. Not just due to PC death; even relatively minor injuries would realistically sideline an adventurer for days or weeks. It can be fun to play with that level of lethality, and it works well in games such as Call of Cthulhu. In our group's most recent session, an apparition of an elder god clawed at one of our investigators, raking him for 10 of his 12 HP. The guy was able to get off a wild gunshot, but was then down for the count. He survived, but was in the hospital for most of the rest of the game. But usually, particularly for more pulp fantasy games like D&D, I prefer to have more of a chance to know and develop my characters. So we need some kind of buffer between Full Health and Out of Commission. <br />
<br />
I've recently been playing Labyrinth Lord using versions of a "<a href="http://web.fisher.cx/robert/infogami/Classic_D&D_injury_table">Death and Dismemberment</a>" house rule. Other, slightly tweaked variants are <a href="http://trollsmyth.blogspot.com/2008/06/playing-with-death-and-dismemberment.html">here</a> and <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/04/deadlier-death-and-dismemberment.html">here</a>. This house rule envisions HP as an abstraction for some combination of stamina, defensive ability, determination, luck etc. When this collective store is exhausted, the character is at 0 HP, and must roll on the table to see what the consequences are:<br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS',Trebuchet,Verdana,sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px;"></span><br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; border-style: none; border-width: medium;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border: 1pt solid windowtext; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%"><b>2d6</b></td><td style="border-style: solid solid solid none; border-width: 1pt 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>RESULTS</b></td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%">2 or lower</td><td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>Instant Death</b> (decapitated or similar death <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2009/01/conan-barbarian.html" style="color: #99aadd; text-decoration: none;">from CtB</a>).</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%">3</td><td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>Fatal Wound</b> (gutted, stabbed through lung, broken back, and the like) die in 1d20 x 10 minutes. A Wish or similar effect would heal wound.<br />
<b>Knocked Out </b>until death unless Save vs Death is made.</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%">4-5</td><td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>Severed Limb</b> use hit location die, if head rolled and no helmet then as '2', if body rolled and no armor then as '3', otherwise will bleed out and die in 1d6 rounds. Magical healing (magic used for this will not restore lost hp), a tourniquet, or cauterization with fire will allow a Save vs Death with bonus equal to lvl of spell cast, if any. Success means character requires 3d4 weeks of healing.<br />
<b>Knocked Out</b> until death unless Save vs Death is made.</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%">6-7</td><td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>Broken Bone</b> use hit location die. 3d4 weeks to heal.<br />
<b>Knocked Out </b>1d20 rounds unless Save vs Death is made. If head bone was broke and no helmet and failed save then knocked out, "in coma", until healed instead.</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%">8-9</td><td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>Knocked Out</b> for 1d12 rounds if wearing a helm. If no helmet then as <b>Broken Head Bone</b>.</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%">10-11</td><td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>Stunned</b> for 1d4 rounds and lose helm if wearing helm. <b>Knocked Out</b> for 1d12 rounds if not wearing helm.</td></tr>
<tr><td style="border-style: none solid solid; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="20%">12+</td><td style="border-style: none solid solid none; border-width: medium 1pt 1pt medium; padding: 0in 5.4pt;" valign="top" width="80%"><b>"Now I'm Mad"</b> a surge of adrenaline returns 1d4 hit points per hit die. At the end of the combat, the adrenaline drains away, hit points are reduced to zero, and the PC faints for 2d6 rounds. If you roll this more than once in a single combat consider yourself a Berserker under the effects of a potion of super-heroism.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Each time character at 0 HP takes "damage", he must roll again on the table. This is the best way I've seen to model the fact that until someone takes actual physical damage, they are more or less at full capacity. But once they are injured, things get bad in a hurry, as each further injury brings a chance of disaster.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 20px;">If you haven't tried gaming this way before, I'd highly recommend it.<br />
</span>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-25500487809540459682010-04-13T16:02:00.000-07:002010-04-15T08:25:46.681-07:00New Kids in the SandboxNorm over at <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/04/can-newbs-start-with-sandbox.html">Troll and Flame</a> asks whether new DMs and new players can handle running or playing in a sandbox style campaign. Having never run a sandbox campaign, I can only speculate how a new DM would fare. Being an ultra-planner, I personally would not feel comfortable DM-ing unless I had done quite a lot of the work ahead of time. This may be due in part to the fact that the only systems I've DMed are D&D 3.5 and Mutants and Masterminds, both of which are on the rules-heavy end of the spectrum.<br />
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As a player, I feel that little experience is necessary to enjoy a sandbox campaign. For even the greenest tenderfoot, a short briefing by the DM should suffice. Here's an example:<br />
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DM: "OK, this is going to be what is called a 'sandbox' style campaign. Now-"<br />
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PC1: "Waitaminit! Sandbox? What is that, like, a kiddy campaign with buckets and shovels and such? Should I have brought my He-Man action figures instead of my minis?"<br />
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PC2: "Yeah, are we embarking on a dangerous quest to save Princess Barbie from the evil Skeletor?"<br />
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DM: "No! It's not like that at all; the term 'sandbox' just means-"<br />
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PC3: "We know what a 'sandbox' is, it's a pretty self-explanatory term for a 'box' filled with 'sand'. It's a 'toy' invented to brainwash stupid little kids into believing that manual labor--e.g. digging holes--is actually fun. It was a tool of the forces of conformity to make Johnny a happy worker bee serving for the good of the hive collective. I must say that descriptor doesn't bode well for this game.<br />
<br />
DM: "'Manual labor'? 'Brainwashing'? Are you high? Sandboxes had nothing to do with any of that, and besides, none of that is even relevant because 'sandbox', in <i>this</i> context, means that-"<br />
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PC4: "I can't believe I let you talk me into this, dude. It's bad enough I decided to let you nerd me up, but now we're actually playing with dollies, too? I could be playing <i>Madden</i> right no-"<br />
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DM: "ALL OF YOU SHUT THE HELL UP RIGHT NOW!"<br />
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PC1 [blinks in surprise]<br />
<br />
PCs 2 and 3 [look at each other to verify that they both heard the outburst]<br />
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PC4 [shrugs and sips his Dr. Pepper]<br />
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DM: "'Sandbox' has nothing to do with Barbie or Brainwashing or any of that! All it means is that there is no 'right' thing to do in this game, and there is no 'right' path to take. You can do whatever you want to do, however you want to do it, whenever you want to do it. If you hear that the Princess has gone missing in the Desert of Despair, you can buy some camels and go looking for her, or you can forget her and go help the small village being raided by strange anthropomorphic squirrels. Or you can say screw all of them, and just stay in the tavern and drink all day every day. The point is I'm not going to pick one storyline and force you to follow it to the bitter end. If you set off to rescue the Princess, and then decide that all that sand is boring, you can give up and go looking for something else to do. If you go to help the village and find the anthropomorphic squirrels are all 20 feet tall and sneeze flaming chainsaws, you can decide that's a bit too much to handle or you can die heroically in a vain attempt to defeat the much stronger foe. Or, hell, if you want to try to ally with the Anthrosquirrels and use them to help you conquer the Kingdom, you can do that, too.<br />
<br />
Not everything you try will work, and knowing you guys, probably most of it won't, but you can try anything you want. There will be consequences for your actions, good and bad, but those consequences will be directly related to and be the result of your actions. Since I'm not going to force anything on you, you guys have to take a little initiative in telling me what you want your characters to do. If you have no idea what you want your character to do, you can try going to a tavern or temple or city guardhouse and ask about the latest gossip. Kidnapped princesses, raided villages and the like always make the juiciest gossip. Alternatively, you could just pick a direction on the map and start heading that way. You'll find something, or Something will find you.<br />
<br />
Now... with that out of the way, can we please get on with this?"<br />
<br />
...<br />
...<br />
...<br />
<br />
PC1: "Cool! Let's go save that princess! She's probably hot; all princesses worth saving are hot."<br />
<br />
PC2: "What? No, those squirrels sound wild! I wanna make one my pet! Can I do that?"<br />
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PC3: "Simpletons; true roleplaying is the art of becoming one with the character, exploring his hopes and dreams, as well as his dismay and defeats. Obviously the best way to get that started is to delve into the reasons we as a party choose to associate with each other. And the best way to do <i>that </i>is with honest in-character discussions of our deepest fears and strongest motivations. Naturally, such ruminations would occur over many a pint of ale, so to the tavern we go!"<br />
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PC4: "...I think I'm going to go into the living room to play <i>Madden</i>."<br />
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DM: "Yeah, I think I'm going to go to my bedroom and cry."<br />
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<br />
<br />
All [lame attempts at] kidding aside, a sandbox game shouldn't be too challenging for new players, provided the GM is prepared to give a few nudges now and then when the group begins to wander aimlessly.<br />
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One pitfall to avoid as a DM looking to run a sandbox, be careful about introducing adventure hooks that players may feel compelled to follow. If the entire world is menaced by some ancient evil, and the PCs think they may be able to do something about it, they may feel they owe it to their concept of their character to direct their attention to this global threat. They may actually be more interested in, say, going on a sea adventure to explore a lost island, but be unable to justify it given the facts of the game world. If the Elder God is about to have your planet for lunch, you first take care of that, <i>then</i> you go on your little cruise.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-70435109091505823712010-04-07T12:43:00.000-07:002010-04-07T12:44:25.951-07:00B2 Caves of Chaos Marathon - Player's PerspectiveThis Saturday April 3rd, I played in my first ever marathon session of gaming. 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM, a full 12 hours of gaming interrupted only briefly to address various gastrointestinal imperatives. I'd heard stories of people embarking on long stretches of adventuring such as this, but having missed out on tabletop gaming as a kid, I never had the opportunity to try it myself. So when the chance came to go the distance on a return to the Caves of Chaos, I grabbed it.<br />
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At this point, you should go over to the Troll and Flame blog to read the first part of the <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/04/b2-caves-of-chaos-twelve-hour-marathon.html">game writeup</a>. Norm, who ran the previous Caves of Chaos session, was back in the DM's chair for this game. The first part of this post will address some of the issues/questions he raises.<br />
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...Back? Great!<br />
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First off, I did indeed have a great time, in spite of the fact that I had been part of the group that had ravaged these same caves just a few weeks before. Most of that credit goes to Norm and the module itself, as there was enough to do that I never felt we were trodding the same ground. Both groups destroyed the Blue Line Orc tribe, but apart from that, we never duplicated any encounters. I never got bored, and I easily could have kept playing for another hour or two.<br />
<br />
I played Mundy the Meatshield, so named because all of my rolls were terribly mundane. Apart from a 7 in Wisdom, everything else was straight down the line average. Later on I also took over Onedias the Mage, who made something of a shift from NPC partner of the group to semi-PC.<br />
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<br />
<blockquote>"Charm, esp when misinterpreted by DM to work on Owlbears and Minotaurs is really an effective spell."</blockquote><br />
I'd agree to this statement with respect to the Owlbear. Onedias charming the Owlbear gave us a brute to throw at the Blue Line Orc lair. The beast soaked and dealt damage with equal proficiency, making an otherwise foolhardy frontal assault a sound tactical move. When the Orc tribe was conquered, and the Owlbear had served its purpose, one of the players decided his character hated all monsters, and killed our erstwhile ally. The greedy powergamer in me was aghast at this waste of such a powerful instrument of destruction, but from a game balance standpoint, it was probably for the best. Using one Lucky Charm (tm) as a weapon to defeat all foes would have been a little lame.<br />
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The Minotaur was a different story. The monster charged the party, and did succumb to Onedias' mystic arts, but Onedias would come to regret it. For the minotaur was also a lonely female, and was instantly besotted by the mysterious allure of the mage. Like all lovestruck monsters, she immediately threw him over one shoulder and retreated to her lair to lavish him with her affection. Thankfully, the DM did not make us the players endure these scenes, but when the party finally did rescue the mage, he was almost at his end. Suffice it to say that minotaur tenderness is not like human tenderness.<br />
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"Damage by class with more damage if you forgo shield and use a 2h and +1 to hit if you dual wield. No one ever picked dual wield +1 to hit. Is it not worth it? Or did I just speed past the description that no one picked up on it."<br />
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I tend to favor higher AC characters when I'm playing a fighter. I'm defensively oriented, partly because I think it's more tactically sound to have several highly survivable PCs drawing most of the fire. Foregoing a shield to wield a second weapon only costs you a point of AC to begin. But if you find a magic shield, as I did, then you would be trading 2 pts of AC for 1 pt of To-Hit. Question: if you wield one magic weapon and one normal weapon, how do you know which weapon hit? That makes a difference in the damage done, whether you bypass resistances, and whether you can even hit some monsters. Do you flip a coin? Alternatively, if you are wielding two magical weapons, do you get the bonuses to-hit and/or damage or other effects for both? <br />
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<b>Death and Dismemberment</b><br />
<br />
If you hold, as I do, that the potential for character death is there to create dramatic tension, then the credible threat of death is sufficient. One need not cycle repeatedly through several characters before the lesson is learned that Bad Things can happen. Even with the Owlbear tank, I never felt my character to be invincible, so I would keep the chart as-is, or make it only mildly more severe.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-12453029908802815242010-04-06T13:59:00.000-07:002010-04-06T16:24:38.403-07:00Call of Cthulhu Campaign Chronicle #1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/3e/e/AAAACz-akckAAAAAAD7rQQ.png?v=1238358283000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/3e/e/AAAACz-akckAAAAAAD7rQQ.png?v=1238358283000" /></a></div>This Sunday marked my first foray into the madness-inducing world of H.P. Lovecraft's <i>Call of Cthulhu</i>. Specifically, Chaosium's 6th edition version of that world. I'd long been intrigued by this game, and jumped at the chance to play when I saw a "looking-for-players" post on the Austin RPG meetup board. <br />
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<b>Character Generation</b><br />
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I really got a kick out of creating my character, "Mike McTigue". Rolling up a "normal" guy was actually something of a treat and a welcome change from making medieval superheroes for D&D. The game is set in the 1920's, and Mike is a former rising star in the pro-boxing circuit. Unfortunately, his passion for betting on the ponies led to a run-in with an angry bookie over debts he couldn't pay. The mob decided to insist on payment in the classic mob fashion, and Mike's resulting broken leg left him with a pronounced limp. This spelled the end for his boxing ccareer, and might have been the end of Mike if his former trainer, Salvatore Finazzi, hadn't taken pity on him. Sal knew some people at Miskatonic U., and was able to find Mike a job there as a librarian. Mike had become engrossed in literature during his convalescence; next to boxing, books were his great passion.<br />
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At my first game, two other players showed up out of a possible four. The two missing PCs were a bootlegger and a veteran/student. The two that did play were:<br />
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Louise - A flapper with a taste for the sauce, and who's not above using her feminine wiles to get her way.<br />
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Parker - A government agent posing as a psychology student. She carries a gun in her purse, and a combination armory/hardware store in the trunk of her car.<br />
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The Game<br />
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Mike, Louise and Parker were summoned to Harvey Cecil's law office [the actual name escapes me at the moment, so we'll just go with Harvey Cecil]. Mike was an old friend of Harvey, who had been instrumental in helping him land the job as librarian. Louise and Parker had worked a previous job for Harvey, and had already been exposed to the things which go "bump" in the night. Harvey tasked the three with investigating the appearance of the body of a strange creature that resembled a small octopus with elephant ears. George Flannery, a local pharmacist who dispenses alcohol for "medicinal" purposes, had found the specimen floating in a bottle of red wine he had "prescribed" for himself. George purchased his stock from a new supplier, and assured us that he had gotten a "hell of a deal" on the product, in exchange for not asking too many questions. Among those questions that went unasked were such trivialities as "Who are you?", "How can I contact you?" and "Where did you get this win-- uh, medicine?" Apparently these mystery men would simply show up unannounced with a new shipment of pharmaceuticals, take payment, and then leave.<br />
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Since they couldn't immediately track down the source, they took the bottle and its curious passenger to a biologist at Miskatonic U. The learned scholar declared that they had been duped, for such a creature did not, nay, COULD not exist in nature. Apart from that, he could tell them nothing. Next they tried their luck at a speakeasy that Louise frequented, to see if other bottles with surprise contents had turned up anywhere else. Unfortunately the proprietors were decidedly unfriendly, and were in no mood to let the investigators examine their wares. Having reached another dead end, they made their way back to the pharmacy, fully intending to stake the place out until another shipment was delivered. Upon arrival, the place looked deserted. No cars, no lights, and no visible activity inside. Either George had ordered himself to close up shop early and undergo some heavy "treatment", or something was wrong.<br />
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They decided to split up, with Mike and Louise going in through the front door, while Parker circled around to the back exit. If the suppliers were here, they didn't want them to give the group the slip. Once they made it through the entrance, Mike and Louise heard the muffled sounds of a scuffle coming from the back room. There they found George and three men in suits. Two of the men were standing by the window and the back door, keeping watch. The other gentleman was working George over, demanding to know what had happened to the shipment. Poor George alternated between spitting blood and wailing that he didn't know where it was.<br />
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Mike, who had watched this scenario play out numerous times before, decided he'd seen enough. Three guys wasn't too much for a former boxer like him to handle; besides, the two dames could probably distract one of them long enough for him to take care of the other two. He threw open the door, strode in, and demanded to know who the men were. Mike never did learn their names, but he did learn they had guns. Fortunately, the toughs decided to ask questions before shooting, and merely motioned Mike and Louise inside. <br />
<br />
As the leader began questioning Mike, one of the lookouts noticed Parker peering in through a small window. Alarmed, the three jumped to the conclusion that the cops were sneaking up on them, and decided to make a break for it. They crashed through a display window to the street outside, and zoomed off before we could stop them. All was not lost, however, as Parker noticed the original box that the shipment had come in. It was addressed to a "Flannelly", not "Flannery". It seemed George had received a package by mistake. <br />
<br />
Tracking this "Flannelly" down lead us to a wealthy residential district, and to our great fortune, we arrived just in time to see "Flannelly" take delivery of a small package from what looked to be the same men we'd seen earlier. Once the men had left, we discussed the best way to find out what Flannelly was up to. Mike wanted to try a plan of misdirection. He wanted to set fire to an adjacent house, then search Flannelly's home after everyone had evacuated. It's not as if those rich bastards can't afford a little renovation, anyway. Cooler heads prevailed, and the gang settled on a plan that had Louise pose as a stranded damsel in distress in need of help.<br />
<br />
While Parker and Mike hid in the car, Louise went up and knocked on the front door. Flannelly answered, and Louise breathlessly told him that her car had broken down, and begged him to let her use his phone. Flannelly lead her to a room with a phone, and left to allow her some privacy. Louise took the opportunity to do a quick search of several rooms, and found a small crate that looked the right size and shape to contain a standard wine bottle. Flannelly returned before she could discover more, so Louise turned on the charm. Smiling invitingly, Louise asked if he might like to pour her a drink. [miserably failed <miserably failed="" the=""><i>Persuade </i>roll] He declined. She then batted her eyes and asked if he might like to show her around his home. [abysmally failed <completely failed="" the=""><i>Persuade </i>roll] He said no, he would be leaving soon for an event he had planned for the evening. Well, then, she purred, would he mind if she waited for here in the house for her friends to come by and pick her up? [catastrophically failed <spectacularly failed="" the=""><i>Persuade </i>roll] No, he didn't feel comfortable letting a stranger stay alone in his house. Louise was totally striking out, and there could be but one explanation. Flannelly must be gay.<br />
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In desperation, Louise asked if he could at least give her a ride home. Waiting out in the street wouldn't be safe for a young lady; surely he wouldn't let her be exposed to that danger! [successful -finally- <finally, made="" the=""><i>Persuade </i>roll]<br />
Flannelly pondered a moment, and grudgingly agreed that since her house was on his way, it would be no inconvenience to give her a lift. Once in the car, Flannelly seemed to relax a bit, and began talking. And talking. And talking. Amazingly, he maintained a steady stream of verbiage, without ever actually <i>saying</i> anything. All Louise was able to glean was that he was going to a private social event, about which he was as excited as he was secretive. No sooner had he let her off at her stop than she hopped into the car driven by Parker and Mike, who had been tailing them closely. The three then resumed the leisurely chase, as Flannelly never suspected he was being followed.</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the=""><br />
</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the="">Their quarry passed the city limits, and soon was rumbling down the highway the split farm and ranch lands to the west. Shadows were fast engulfing the land when Flannelly finally turned his silver sedan down a dirt road that led to a large two story country manor. The three investigators continued down the road a short way to avoid attracting notice, then pulled to the side of the road. They made their way on foot back through the cover of dusk to the manor, and a half-circle reconnaissance revealed a small torch-lit shed leading underground, probably to a basement or storm cellar. In the entire rest of the house, they could see only one second floor room was lit.</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the=""><br />
</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the="">The three went in through the servants quarters, and soon found themselves in an expansive kitchen. One door lead to the rest of the house, and one large oak door looked to open to an area right above the basement. From beneath this door a dim light glowed, and the soft drone of muffled voices could be heard over the Autumn breeze outside. Mike and Parker determined to investigate the source of the voices, while Louise decided to case the rest of the house, particularly the one lit room on the second floor. When Louise disappeared into the gloom, Mike and Parker turned to the heavy oak portal. Almost as an afterthought, Mike picked up a butcher knife, then carefully eased the door open.</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the=""><br />
</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the="">The soft light of a lone gas lamp streamed out, revealing stairs that led down to a stone basement. As the pair carefully descended, they noted three things. First, to the far left of the room was a short staircase to what looked to be the other cellar entrance they saw from outside. Second, the middle of the otherwise empty room was occupied by a large wooden table, littered with coats, keys, and other various personal effects. Third, and most arrestingly, the wall straight ahead was dominated by a large stone archway. The room beyond was obscured by a thick red curtain drawn across the entrance, though the rhythmic surge of chanting voices flowed out from behind its folds. As they inched slowly towards the veiled antechamber, the chanting rose to a crescendo that was shattered by the sound of breaking glass. A heartbeat of silence, and then the chanting resumed. </finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the=""><br />
</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the="">Passing the wooden table, Mike and Parker briefly examined the items thereon. Nothing out of the ordinary; it almost resembled what one might leave at the coat-check before going into a party. With a devilish grin, Mike began pocketing the car keys that lay jumbled in a pile. Parker shot him an cross glance, but he merely shrugged impishly in return. With more important things on her mind, Parker moved forward, her hand never straying from the purse that contained her revolver. She stopped inches from the curtain, then slowly lowered herself to lie flat against the floor, trying to look underneath the crimson fabric into the room beyond.Shoes. The feet of a tripod. Maybe the swirl of robes. Try as she might, there wasn't room to see. Frustrated, she rolled onto her back, and with exaggerated motions silently instructed Mike to slowly lift the curtain's folds to give her a better view. Satisfied that he knew what she wanted, she again lay down with her cheek against the dank stone. Her heart raced Mike slowly raised the curtain at a glacial pace. So slowly, it seemed not to be moving at all. "<i>I wanted slow, but not THIS slow</i>!" she thought, and gave Mike a hand signal to speed it up. Once again, Mike overcompensated, and the curtain jerked up several inches, giving Parker a full view of the entire room. Parker's eyes widened, and her mind shrieked at the Madness before her.</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the=""><br />
</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the="">Meanwhile, Louise had made her way through the empty dining room, and across the deserted hall to the grand staircase that wound its way to the second floor. With cat-like grace, she padded up the steps, needing only the moonlight seeping through the many windows to guide her way. At the top of the stairs, she quickly glanced down the hall in both directions. Satisfied no one else was around, she hurried over to the one doorway that was leaking light. Breathlessly, she put her head to the door, but the thick wood muffled any noise within. Gently, she eased the door open. Deep breathing became audible, the kind that accompanies peaceful dreams. The door was open almost enough to peer in when the hinges squeaked loudly in protest. Louise froze as the breathing from within erupted into snorts and coughs, then settled down again. Louise lifted up on the door and opened it another inch, then stuck her head in to survey the room.</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the=""><br />
</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<miserably failed="" the=""><completely failed="" the=""><spectacularly failed="" the=""><finally, made="" the="">A large four poster bed stood at the end of the room; the sleeping figure on top was buried in a thick comforter. Wiggling her way in, Louise tiptoed over to get a closer look. It was an old woman, in full bedclothes, including a tightly bound night cap. It was plain that she lived here, and just as plain that she had nothing to do with the mysterious "event" happening below. Seeing no reason to rouse the sleeping granny, Louise exited the room and retraced her steps back down to the kitchen to rejoin the other two. She went inside the cellar just in time to see Parker look under the curtain.</finally,></spectacularly></completely></miserably><br />
<br />
Parker's mind revolted at the scene before her. A large iron brazier stood in the center of the room, smoldering with a sickly green fire. Around it swayed chanting nightmares. Shadowy grotesqueries with visages drawn from the depths of unknown terror. Again the chanting rose, and one of the horrors raised a clawed appendage clutching a bottle, and brought it down to the brazier with a crash. A brief flash of light filled the room as the bottle broke, and the chanting figures were fully revealed. They were not human. They were not even animal. They were alien, unnatural, the antithesis of logic, each more horrifying than the next. Parker did not make the decision to wrench her eyes away, for her conscious will was gripped by frigid terror. Only some base, desperate will to sanity spasmed the muscles that whipped her head back and sent her rolling wildly away.<br />
<br />
Parker's sudden barrel roll took her right through the legs of the unsuspecting Mike. He grabbed for the the curtain as he fell, and luckily grasped only air. He landed heavily, but noiselessly as he bit off grunt of pain. Louise rushed down the stairs to Parker. She smoothed Parker's hair, attempting to calm her down. Parker gulped air like a drowning man, and slowly collected herself. Between gasps, she related what she had seen to an increasingly dubious audience. Louise listened with mounting dread; after the demon she had seen weeks ago, she knew nightmares weren't confined to the realm of sleep. Mike, however, remained skeptical. He still clung to the view of the world he once had, and the stories these broads told of demons and such still smelled fishy to him.<br />
<br />
The three held a whispered conference. What should they do? Leave and report this to the police? Who would believe stories about monsters breaking wine bottles? Should they try to stop them somehow? But we can't face monsters like this. At this, Mike again suggested lighting the curtain on fire, and then barricading the two exits from the outside. "After all," he pointed out, "if they're monsters, Shelley and Stoker both would recommend fire." Louise hissed a rejection through clenched teeth. This was no time for the jests of an unbelieving fool. And yet, she could think of nothing to do. Logic demanded action, but no course made itself clear. Perhaps a strategic retreat was in order...<br />
<br />
Mike had had enough. He didn't know what those weirdos were doing in there, but he was about to find out what they would do when he upset the applecart. If whatever they were doing involved that burning brazier, one swift kick ought to put an end to it. Setting his jaw, he rose sharply and strode to the curtain as the chanting rose to one more crescendo. He tore open the shroud just as one of the chanters was dashing the last wine bottle against the brazier. The resulting flash illuminated the shadowy figures, who were obviously people in masks. Weird, sickeningly evil masks, but still just masks, one of which looked like the octopus-with-elephant ears. Mike felt a split-second of smug satisfaction that the boogeymen that spooked Parker were, in fact, just men. A thick mushroom of smoke billowed from the coals in the brazier, and rose to join the dense haze hanging above. That was the precise moment that All Hell Broke Loose.<br />
<br />
The roiling cloud of black smoke instantly coalesced into a writhing mass of shining midnight tentacles. An impossibly large tree-like tangle shot out at the form who held the remains of the last bottle, smashing it to a bloody paste against the cellar wall. This abrupt demise galvanized chanter and investigator alike, as all ran screaming for the exits. Two tentacles as thick as baseball bats snaked around either leg of one masked figure, and with a jerk, ripped it in twain. A shower of blood rained down on the rest of the panicked group as they fled out of the cellar door, into the darkness outside.<br />
<br />
All, that is, save one. Louise, recalling the sleeping woman upstairs, headed for the kitchen exit instead. With each passing moment, the size and number of wildly flailing tentacles grew, searching sightlessly for prey and crushing everything they encountered. As she bounded up the stairs, Louise saw a nest of twisting midnight tear the oak railings from their joints like twigs. One blind appendage swung crazily at her head, and came with in an inch of knocking her senseless. She bolted through the bedroom door and raced over to the side of the bed. The old woman, already quailing in fright, began shrieking hysterically at the sudden approach. Louise desperately tried to drag her towards the window, now the only avenue of escape, but the woman resisted with strength fueled by pure terror. Tentacles, too many to count, exploded through the door and the hallway wall. One grazed Louise's ankle, sending her sprawling to the base of the wall. The old woman wailed madly and buried her head in her covers, before the entire bed was buried by a throng of twisting tentacles. With a sob of pain and horror, Louise threw herself out of the window and plummeted to the ground below. She landed with a sickening pop, and the pain blossoming in her injured ankle signaled it was now broken. A thunderous crash ripped her attention upwards as the four poster bed, now encased in slimy black coils burst through the wall of the house, raining shards of glass and splinters of wood down on Louise.<br />
<br />
Parker, Mike, and four chanters had made it out of the house, and had stumbled as far away as they could. They could not flee completely, however, as a perverse fascination took hold as they watched the destruction of the manor. Huge tentacles crashed through windows, battered down walls, and ripped up foundation stones with insane abandon. Then the four poster bed came into view. Until now, the erstwhile invokers had looked on in shock, their masks cast aside in panic. "Mother? Mother!!!" exclaimed one, who then sprinted after the mass of tentacles gripping the bed. Shouting at him to stop, Parker dashed after him. They only advanced about 35 yards when the nightmare brought the bed crashing down on the running cultist, flinging bloody flesh and wood in a wide radius. Parker stopped on a dime and began a desperate retreat.<br />
<br />
This scene broke one other chanter from his stasis, and he turned to run away. Mike grabbed him by the collar and wrenched him around. "What is this?! Who are you and what did you do?!" he yelled. "I'm Danvers and it wasn't my fault, it was Benson! He told us they would grant us wishes! Let me go!" Mike tightened his grip. "The bottles! The masks! Where did you get them?!" Danvers began squirming wildly. "DON'T KNOW DON'T KNOW!" came the crazed answer "NOT ME WAS BENSON NOT ME LET GO LET GO LET GO!!!" Mike pulled out the butcher knife. "You're lying, you weasel, now spill it or I'll feed you to that thing piece by bloody piece!" Howling with fear and rage, Danvers spun away, sweeping Mike's good leg out from under him. Mike crumpled to the ground, and Danvers took off at a dead run. Mike pounded the grass in frustration; there was no way he could catch the man now.<br />
<br />
He turned his head back to the destruction of the house. Were his eyes playing tricks on him, or were there fewer tentacles than a moment before? And didn't they seem smaller? Sure enough, the nightmare was receding, almost shrinking back into the house. In less than a minute, all the black tentacles were gone, leaving only the jumbled wreck of the house. Mike spotted Louise painfully crawling towards them, and rushed over to help. Parker turned her attention to the remaining two chanters, both female. Only now did she realize that one was screaming. And screaming. And violently shaking her head, eyes shut tight. It might have been painful to hear, but the woman's voice had already gone hoarse. What actually came out sounded more like sobbing wheezes. The other woman lay on the ground, motionless. Parker felt for a pulse, fearing she was dead. No, she was just laying still. Parker asked who she was, and gave her a shake. No response. Parker pulled the head close to her face and repeated the questions. Nothing. Not even a hint that she saw or heard. This one's mind was broken, and neither one would be helping anyone else, tonight or any other night.<br />
<br />
When Mike and Louise joined them, Mike lowered Louise to the ground, then went off with Parker to examine the wreckage. Louise took the time to examine the masks. They were made of gold! At least, plated with gold, and they certainly felt heavy enough. Each one bore the likeness of some alien horror; each a jumble of features that had analogs in nature, but combined and assembled in a wholly unnatural fashion. Nothing like the octopus-with-elephant ears, though. The robes the chanters wore were themselves made of some strange fabric, the likes of which Louise had never before seen. Louise was lost in her examination when Mike and Parker returned.<br />
<br />
The cellar had been the epicenter of the monster, and the floors above had been blown away from it. They had, with some difficulty, been able to make their way down into the cellar antechamber, and had collected the last two masks. The cultist who had been ripped in two was unknown to them, and the other, the one who died first, was little more than red paste. They had found a right hand, and had removed from it a ring. Louise instantly recognized it as Flannelly's ring; she had admired it on the ride to her house. They then searched all the cars, recording the names of the owners from the registration papers therein. Finally, they turned once more to the two ruined souls curled up on the ground. There was nothing they could do for them that would not jeopardize the group's safety. Figuring that someone would come looking for them in the morning, they piled into Parker's car to leave. Before pulling off, Mike hopped out again. Quizzical looks from the girls turned to rolled eyes as Mike jumped into the driver's seat of Flannelly's silver sedan. "<i>The man's a natural crook,</i>" mused Parker. "<i>I wish my ankle weren't broken</i>," thought Louise, as she eyed the other luxury cars.<br />
<br />
They trundled down the drive and into the highway, heading back to town. One horror lay behind them; who knew how many lay ahead.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-19836743019823868622010-03-26T08:33:00.000-07:002010-04-08T10:43:26.759-07:00Twingol's Tales: Aurora Campaign Chronicle #1Other than the B2 Caves of Chaos one-shot, the most recent game session for my D&D group marked the beginning a new campaign, as we unwrapped new characters for adventures in the land of “Aurora”.<br />
<br />
What follows is the first installment of a campaign chronicle, written as the personal journal of one of my characters: Twingol the Gnome Illusionist. The account was composed a week or two after the actual session, so I’ve used creative license to fill gaps in my recollection, as well as to punch up the narrative. An example of the latter would be Twingol’s reference to “Foundry Day”, an event which marks the first day a young dwarf is deemed eligible to work as a blacksmith unsupervised. Think of it as something of a Dwarven “Sweet 16”, a day of celebration for the normally dour race, and one of much, much drinking.<br />
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<i>[edit: When I first made this post, I was having trouble recalling all of the names of the characters. Consequently, I was forced make numerous references to "the other gnome wizard", which is a very clunky and unsatisfying way of identifying a subject. So in a bit of post ret-conning, here is the cast of characters:</i><br />
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<i>Oliver: DM</i><br />
<br />
<i> Frank:<br />
Montgomery Drake Scott, Esquire - </i><i>Human Cavalier</i><br />
<i>Zeb (no clan name given) - </i><i>Gnome Thief/Mage </i><br />
<i><br />
Todd:<br />
Jane Proudfinger - </i><i>Human Cleric</i><br />
<i>Gareth Ravenmantle - </i><i>Gnome Paladin</i><br />
<i><br />
Flip(me):<br />
Beorn Sigrunsen - </i><i>Human Barbarian</i><br />
<i>Twingol "Twinkle" Fiddlesap, Image Master Red Class</i> - <i>Gnome Illusionist (Image Maker kit)]</i><br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Year of the Bounding Lamb, 5th Waning, Day 3 – The Escaped Rout Pt. I.</span><br />
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As the sun goes down on our little band of mis-matched companions-in-arms, I can’t help but feel fortunate that I’m able to lay quill to scroll once more. With sorrow, I must report that blood flowed as freely as dwarven spirits on Foundry Day, mostly from our men. The fates may decree that our cause is lost, but I will do what I can to ensure our story is not. The morning broke with a bright sun shining in a cloudless summer sky, but reports from advance scouts had cast a pall over the camp that more befitted the dead of winter. The forces marching to meet us were monsters, which isn't itself all that worrisome. But this army was comprised of goblins AND kobolds. Working together. Without killing each other! And not only them, but orcs and gnolls and ogres, too! Even a giant, of all things! All under one command. It was unnatural, and where nature stops, magic begins. So I suspected, and my fears would be confirmed all too soon. But who could wield magic that powerful? The reports had also included hints that there might be a wizard or two in among the enemy, but that would not be enough to assemble and control such a patchwork horde of horrors. Why, the sheer numbers alone would make it prohibitive to- <br />
<br />
... <br />
<br />
Forgive me, I digress. My professional interest and obsessive nature have lead me down the cowpath to premature explication. Let the demands of chronology now return me to the proper point in my tale. Our forces were divided into three companies, themselves comprised primarily of members of the local militia, supplemented by "volunteers" who had simply been in the wrong hamlet at the wrong time. My large barbarian friend and I are counted among the latter, though we served with quite different levels of enthusiasm. Each company militia was manned by individuals of like vocation. Company C, also called "Bootlicker Company", was populated by many of the merchants, craftsmen, and government officials from the local towns. The men of Company B were drawn from the multitude of small farms that dotted the area. To honor their agricultural roots, they were redubbed "Shitkicker Company". The final unit, which also included myself, was manned largely by workers from the enormous Gimideen Pig Ranch, which of course is famous for providing pork and pork products to the King himself. Naturally, we immediately adopted the fearsome nom de guerre of "Pigsticker Company". We were, all things considered, a stout enough force. The main complement of each company were healthy, robust men who, while not professional soldiers, were not strangers to the sword. As for the remainder, several of we conscripts were adventurers, seeking what fortune and/fame our blades and spells might bring. <br />
<br />
We drilled as we could, and occupied what was judged to be the most defensible grounds that lay between the approaching horde and the populated lands behind, namely the mouth of Boscogne Pass. The cliffs on either side of the pass would, we thought, protect our flanks. And if we were forced to retreat, we had even rigged several falling rock and log traps at the narrowest points of the path that should slow pursuit. The scouts had estimated that the enemy would reach our position by mid-morning, and on this they were spot on. They first appeared as a cloud of dust that oozed over the horizon, sparkling with glints of steel. The cloud gradually resolved itself into mass of bared fangs and clutching claws, flashing weapons and clanking armor. Kobolds, Goblins, Orcs, Ogres, and even the Giant we had feared. We had anticipated this intimidating display, however, and had prepared for it. What we had not foreseen, and what sent a chill down my spine, was HOW they were approaching. None of the monstrous races advancing on us had a reputation for their grasp of military tactics. Or discipline. Or bathing, for that matter, but that's beside the point. One would have expected most in this lot to merely charge forward, some perhaps on all fours, screaming and gibbering in rage and bloodlust. Others of their number are known more for disliking direct confrontation, and typically would have held back from the initial assault. But THESE creatures were marching in formation, and at a steady pace. No screams or howls, either, as if they had some measure of training. I did not like that at all. <br />
<br />
When their forces were roughly 100 yards away, I heard the sounds of several short, authoritative sounding barks float above the droning footfalls, and the army promptly split into three smaller groups, mirroring our own formations. Our commanders must have been struck dumb by the unexpected precision, because I don't recall hearing a single order from our side. At a point 30 yards away from our front ranks, the invaders suddenly halted, and for a few pregnant moments, silence swept through the valley. Then, as if on cue, every goblin and gnoll and kobold and orc and ogre let loose with a bloodcurdling cry, thrusting their spears in the air, or beating their swords against their shields in a terrible display of coordinated rage. This tactic was having its intended effect, as I noticed several men around me took a faltering half step backwards. I could feel disaster approaching, so decided to take the initiative. To break the spell of intimidation being woven by our foes, I cast a spell of my own. An enormous, illusory wall of iron sprang up from within their position, dividing the infantry ranks in front from the Giant, the siege ballista, and the commanders behind. I also hoped that if there were magic-users among them, they too would be caught behind the wall. The barrier stretched fully from one side of the cliff to the other, and I must admit a moment of pride at such a length. Instantly, the Giant bellowed in rage, and began a futile attempt to climb over the wall. The noise must have startled his allies, for the chanting died as they turned to see what happened. As uncertainty began to seep into their ranks, our commanders found their voices, and ordered the attack. <br />
<br />
Our men surged forward against an enemy that now thought themselves cut off and trapped. We hacked and hewed with newfound hope, and for a moment it seemed victory would be ours. Then I heard a sickening thud from off to my left. I looked over to find the shattered figure of a goblin lying in a jumble of broken bones and flesh at the base of the cliff. I had scant moments to wonder how the cur had made it's way over from the enemy lines unseen before I heard a shout ring out "'Ware enemy on the cliff!" My head jerked up to see yet another surprise: goblins and kobolds rappelling down the face of the rock like Sherpa mountain men! Well, not exactly like Sherpas; several of them lost their grip on their ropes, following their friend to a gooey demise. But enough reached the ground in one piece that we suddenly found ourselves flanked after all. "Still," I thought, "they're just goblins." And indeed, the closest Pigsticker soldiers, lead by a Montgomery Scott, a human cavalier, and Gareth Ravenmantle, a gnome paladin, had already split the monsters numbers, driving them back. But suddenly, I was arrested by twin roars that split the sky. I wheeled around in time to see two enormous wyverns fly over our company and wade into the back ranks with fierce glee. Savagely they ripped at our men, tossing bodies to and fro. I stood rooted in the ground, as the implications flashed through my mind. We were not merely flanked, we were encircled! Trapped by the enemy and the very walls of the pass we had thought provided a defense! Moreover, even if we could retreat, the wyverns would not be inconvenienced in the slightest by the traps we laid. There would be no way to outrun them. <br />
<br />
No sooner had these thoughts raced through my mind than they were blown away by an enormous fireball that detonated in the middle of Pigsticker Company, decimating our ranks. I understood then that the rumors of enemy spellcasters had been true, and at least one of them had pierced the veil of my illusion. No doubt the rest of the blocked enemy forces would soon also detect my ruse. "To the cliff base!" roared the cavalier, his voice shaking me from my despondent reverie. "Use the trees and rock as cover!" I seized upon his words as if they were a lifeline, and scurried towards a gap in the mass of rappelling (and falling) monsters. Several of our men followed suit, though the tremendous din of battle prevented most from hearing the command. As I neared the base, I heard the excited shouts of Zeb, the other gnome wizard: "A cave! A cave!" Hope flowered in my heart, and I made for the sound of his voice at a dead run. "Beorn! Beorn! This way!" I shouted, and the big savage began loping after me. We rounded a large oak and spied our escape; a man-sized opening in the rock, which, from experience, promised to be the entrance to a significant network of caves. <br />
<br />
Unfortunately, we weren't the only ones to have heard Zeb's exclamations. Already, two mixed groups of goblins and kobolds were attacking the several members of Pigsticker company who had made it there before us. Squire Scott and the Lady Jane Proudfinger were holding off one group, while Gareth and several pig farmers were keeping the other group at bay. Zeb was nowhere to be seen. I suspected that he had already disappeared into the cave, and resolved to follow in his wise footsteps. Beorn, however, had other plans, and launched himself at the goblins vexing the paladin. And by "launched", I mean he charged, tripped on a root, and then fell on a kobold. I imagine the beast was quite surprised before the life was crushed from his broken form. Gareth, taking advantage of the momentary stunned pause, quickly surveyed our surroundings. "Into the cave!" he barked, "we are cut off!" It was true. The wyverns and fireballs had devastated our forces, and they had disappeared behind a chaotic wall of orcs and ogres. Some of those same creatures, apparently in search of more prey, peeled away and began heading in our direction. "Beorn, we've got to go, now!" I shouted, and then ducked into darkness. Lady Jane followed close on my heels, leading a panicked pig farmer. The others stayed behind to cover our escape, and then began a slow defensive retreat to the safety of the cave. <br />
<br />
As I made my way deeper within, I slipped past a section of the tunnel that angled sharply back on itself. "That's going to be a problem for the big humans, but at least it will stop pursuit by anything ogre-sized or larger," I mused. Zeb was in a room-sized chamber a little further, from which several other tunnels wended away to parts unknown. Before I could address him, I heard a sharp cry from where I had just come. I dove for the side of chamber and hid, hoping to ambush whatever monster had made it past the fighters at the cave's entrance. I tensed as a light approached, then sighed with relief as the form of the cleric struggled into view, now dragging an unconscious pig farmer. We gnomes then quickly conversed, and settled on a plan of following the twin guides of the air currents and the nose of Zeb's familiar in navigating the underground network. We four set off, with Lady Jane leaving behind lightstones to mark our path for our rear-guard. First Gareth and then Beorn caught up to us. I was shocked that Beorn was not last to arrive, as he is, in the first place, loathe to ever choose the better part of valor. I thought surely he would insist on being the last to spit in the eye of our foes before making his escape. But no, the Squire Scott was the last to find us, having gathered all of the lightstones on his way. To hear him tell it later, he stood his ground at a choke-point, slaughtering so many monsters that eventually their corpses grew to form a macabre barrier. I'd have thought him a liar if he weren't covered in so much blood, so I settled on arrogant bastard. <br />
<br />
The day was young yet, but my eyes grow heavy with sleep, and this quill grows heavy in my hand, so I put them to rest for the night, and will continue the tale tomorrow. <br />
<br />
~ Twingol Fiddlesap, IMRCParadigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-48650731641596078512010-03-25T13:15:00.000-07:002010-04-15T08:08:53.078-07:00Juggling Worlds<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdR3xD2V8FxM6FIeSW2Bb7meKim5S0sY09dcB5TaHW6xRQAewnTUelAr8AyOVqDquXHcR7OmcsrHYC-TjtRjA84sJAWrDnti7bX2HKWoNL7omniSzu52rvWFUR-f5ldlP8hCCI_Voyd6V/s1600/34596164.JugglingWorlds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdR3xD2V8FxM6FIeSW2Bb7meKim5S0sY09dcB5TaHW6xRQAewnTUelAr8AyOVqDquXHcR7OmcsrHYC-TjtRjA84sJAWrDnti7bX2HKWoNL7omniSzu52rvWFUR-f5ldlP8hCCI_Voyd6V/s320/34596164.JugglingWorlds.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
As I've mentioned before, I'm currently playing in three different 1e/2e campaigns. Essentially, my D&D group rotates between three different sets of PCs in three different game worlds directed by three different DMs. In addition, others will occasionally run one-shot games, sometimes with an existing particular combination of PCs and World, other times with a completely new cast, location, or even game system. We settled on this arrangement because we are blessed (or cursed) with a surfeit of DMs, none of whom really have the time to devote to the preparations a regular game would require. The end effect is that a given DM may go a month or more between running a session; during which interval he is reduced to the lowly status of player in the games of the other DMs.<br />
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Each regular player in each campaign typically rolls up 2 PCs to play, giving a total of 8 active characters. This allows us to accommodate those players who are only able to attend sessions infrequently, as well as curious passers-by who want to try out the game. The guest player will assume control of an absent regular's PCs, or one of the attending regulars will loan him one of theirs.<br />
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As you might expect, this jumble of worlds and players can lead to a bit of confusion -<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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Player A: "What are we doing today? Defending the city against the invading damsel?"<br />
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Player B: "No, I believe we're infiltrating the Dragon's lair to learn his troop strengths and battle plans."<br />
<br />
Player C: "Really? I thought we were searching for a way to remove the Girdle of Masculinity/Feminity from the Cleric of Light? Didn't the master of his order tell us he knew a way to do that?"<br />
<br />
Player D: "No, wrong campaign. And anyway, in that world, the cleric's master told us that the new Captain of the City Guard was framing us for murder. And as a further anyway, the cleric didn't put on the girdle, the elven mage did."<br />
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Player B: "Hah! That's where YOU'RE wrong! It wasn't the elven mage who donned the girdle, it was the dwarven fighter. The mage was destroyed by a fireball!"<br />
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DM: "Enough! Pan-dimensional, galaxy-sized rocks fall; all infinite realities die."<br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
OK, so perhaps it's not that bad, and maybe I fabricated that entire exchange, but it IS difficult to keep the multiple plot and character threads untangled. <br />
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My solution? Campaign Chronicles. At least I hope it's a solution. It wasn't until we began the third separate campaign that I decided to start recording the in-game events, so the beginning of the other two journals will possibly be a little short on the details that add flavor. As a further experiment, I'll be writing at least one of the journals from the perspective of one of the PCs, maybe interspersed with out-of-character notes to ensure the details are all present and accounted for. Why? Because there's one thing the Internet needs, it's more poorly written amateur fiction!Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-7653076588568452402010-03-23T14:34:00.000-07:002010-03-25T08:39:13.052-07:00The old made new again: TARGA and Labyrinth LordThis week is <a href="http://www.traditionalgaming.org/targa-itgw-2010.html">International Traditional Gaming Week</a>, and in observation, the Austin D&D Meetup group featured a one-shot of the <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/03/itgw-b2-caves-of-chaos-is-go.html">B2 Caves of Chaos module</a>. Our system of choice: <a href="http://www.goblinoidgames.com/labyrinthlord.html">Labyrinth Lord</a>, a "retro-clone" of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dungeons_%26_Dragons_Basic_Set">Dungeons and Dragons Basic Set</a>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lWK_9jlWJKjt8fqMUUVeF4cqtKXdRsnFY1IZ92UacGIA_FItSu-I-5NeqewulUbwKkIKSk359w_eJnKBKFCED8B4K1NCG0sQvuI-OnbSAnfBX68dupo-U1DKuKMYrEwBU7IyMOdebjh_/s1600/LLsmallpic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_lWK_9jlWJKjt8fqMUUVeF4cqtKXdRsnFY1IZ92UacGIA_FItSu-I-5NeqewulUbwKkIKSk359w_eJnKBKFCED8B4K1NCG0sQvuI-OnbSAnfBX68dupo-U1DKuKMYrEwBU7IyMOdebjh_/s320/LLsmallpic.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Our group was made up of mostly of old-school players, several of whom had fond memories of B2 from their dusty gaming past, but we also had a couple of players, including myself, who broke into the hobby w/ the later editions. So for me, the anticipation was two-fold:<b> 1st</b>, that I was going to get to play an edition I'd never touched before, and one that has drawn rave reviews from the "Old School Renaissance" (OSR) community.<b> 2nd</b>, in playing B2 itself, I felt almost like I would be undergoing something of a Rite of Passage for gamers, the kind of a shared experience that unites a community of like-minded folk, and gives them a basis for communication.<br />
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This was in addition to my typical eagerness for any chance to game. So what did this new-school player think of old-school play? Read on, fellow traveler...<br />
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Once we settled in, the first order of the day was character creation. We had our choice of using pre-generated characters made by Norm, the DM, or rolling up our own. If we went the pregen route, we could choose between 1st level Fighters and Demi-humans, 2nd level Clerics, or 3rd level Magic-users. The level advancements were employed to make those wimpy casters a bit more useful. The available stock had been quite well rolled, as far as I could see, and there were far more positive modifiers than negative. Half of our group did in fact take the pre-gens, but the other half rolled our own. Since I was going for the whole shared experience thing, and since it was just a one-shot anyway, I announced to the table I was going to roll up a Dwarf the old fashioned way: 3d6, 6 times, in order. With a feeling of almost giddy excitement, I cast my first dice of the game:<br />
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<b>[1, 1, 2]</b><br />
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That's right, a total of 4. For Strength. Not a very auspicious beginning, to say the least. Norm noticed, and in a gesture of mercy, gave me the chance to swap that 4 with a roll for a different Ability. I appreciated the offer, but decided that swapping would be tantamount to committing a heresy against the <a href="http://grognardia.blogspot.com/2008/04/on-oracular-power-of-dice.html">Oracular Power of Dice</a> right out of the gate. I decided to stick with it, and see just how long I could keep this weak-ass character alive. The rest of the rolls were all normal, save a 13 in Wisdom that gave me a +1 modifier. That left me a very weak, but somewhat wise dwarf who was roughly normal in other respects.<br />
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From these numbers, my character began to take shape. The low strength was due the advanced age of the character, whose physical power had greatly diminished with the passing years. Time must have also taken a toll on his agility, so it must have been truly great in his prime. He must also have been hale and hearty in his youth, and this vigor, though reduced now, is what enabled him to obtain such seniority. The years have not been wholly unkind to him, though, and have made him the gift of understanding. Being at 1st level, he can't have been adventuring for a living very long, so he must have had another occupation that lasted him most of his previous life; probably one that made use of his great skills.<br />
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Obviously, he was formerly a master jeweler, whose skill in cutting gems was well known. Time robbed him of the fine motor skills necessary to maintain his level of work, and indeed, he could now only produce pieces of average quality. Bereft of his passion, yet kept alive by his cursedly good health, he seeks a noble death in the pursuit of liberating treasure from those monsters too stupid to appreciate its true worth.<br />
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Thus was born "Wispy", so named for the few long strands of hair that cling stubbornly to his wizened chin and to his spotted <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pate">pate</a>.<br />
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Norm has already posted a <a href="http://trollandflame.blogspot.com/2010/03/itgw-b2-caves-of-chaos-game-report.html">game report</a>, so I fortunately don't need to. That leaves me free to concentrate on my impressions as a new player.<br />
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First off, the game wasn't nearly as lethal to PCs as I was anticipating. Zero player deaths, whoop! I had fully expected to go through two characters at least, possibly three. The party wasn't completely foolhardy; we did elect to avoid confrontation when the odds were long against us. But we also didn't shy away from a tough fight. And the DM wasn't easy on is, bringing the pain when that's what the dice said. No, we just rolled really, really well on the <a href="http://trollsmyth.blogspot.com/2008/06/playing-with-death-and-dismemberment.html">Death and Dismemberment Table</a>. Over the course of at least 6 throws, not once did anyone roll less than 9. Wispy in particular made sure he would survive the climactic Orc tribe battle by using his d30 roll to finagle an adrenaline surge. Strict adherence to the LL RAW probably would have spelled doom for the party in the initial encounter with the Ogre and the mole men, as "Chuck" and "Shitstain" took quite a beating. Their dice refused to let them fall, though, and bought us enough time to wear the big lug down.<br />
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Perhaps multiple PC deaths is a time-honored tradition with old-school games, but in this session, I didn't miss the lack of character continuity. Far from being a downer, I enjoyed figuring out how to make contributions to the group w/ a STR 4 dwarf. It certainly didn't hurt that one of the first things we did when we got some gold was buy better equipment, including a heavy crossbow for the Wispy-nator. The house-rule was a ton of fun, and while less lethal in actual effect, I certainly felt mortal enough.<br />
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Second, we didn't face too many traps, and didn't once need to use a 10' pole, but that was largely because we avoided the area of the "dog-men" (which I presume were kobolds). The intel we got from the mole-men indicated that the dog-men had filled their territory with pits and snares of various kinds. Since we knew one tribe of orcs did have a substantial amount of gold, we decided instead to make a beeline for them. We encountered no traps in either orc stronghold, but they nevertheless did have defenses that we could have anticipated. We paid for our inobservance, taking hits from several crossbow bolts fired from concealed arrow-slits.<br />
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Third, the whole "player skill vs. character skill" debate deserves it's own series of posts. Even coming from 3.5e, I never played with simple diplomacy, bluff etc. rolls determining the results for social interactions. The actual role-play always formed the basis for the possible outcomes, with the rolls themselves merely making one more likely than the other. I will say that my initial impression is that (relatively) dice-less discussions with NPCs and monsters did seem a little faster paced. Turning to other skills, we did have an opportunity to find a secret door in the mole-men cave, but I simply rolled Wispy's base 2 in 6 chance and came up short. Only later did I think that maybe it would have been different if I had narrated the method of my search, for we knew that a secret door did in fact exist in the general vicinity. Probably not; my roll pretty much guaranteed a failure.<br />
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Fourth, pretty much all rolls were explicitly made in the open, so there was no or minimal fudging. If the DM rolled a 20 for the Ogre's attack on the stunned fighter, then that's what he rolled. The only exceptions I noticed were for things like reaction rolls and saving throws, in situations where it was appropriate that the players not know the result. Did the Charm spell work on the Orc chieftain? Well if he bashes you with his club, then probably not. Open rolling and abiding by the dice can sharpen the sense of danger or thrill of relief, but I have to confess that as a player, it rarely crosses my mind that the DM could fudge rolls either way. If it does become obvious that the DM is fudging rolls, I would probably think it pretty lame, but that hasn't happened yet. Or maybe I'm just too innocent and trusting.<br />
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Lastly, combat itself wasn't conducted in the stately procession of steps the way it's described in LL. We used a more free-flowing, everything-happens-at-once system. It took a bit of getting used to, particularly because most of our players are accustomed to playing with segmented rounds. For this game, we basically all told the DM what our character intended to do. He mentally organized those actions and those of the monsters into a coherent sequence, then began narrating the scene, with all of us rolling dice as needed. It was going pretty smoothly by the end, and with an experienced group, I expect encounters would have a very cinematic quality. I don't know that this was old-school, but it at least fit my ill-informed concept of old-school play.<br />
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<u>BOTTOM LINE</u><br />
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A great time was had by all. I would definitely play LL again, with or without the house rules. So far, in my estimation the differences between the editions of D&D, from Basic/LL up to 3.5ed, are differences of degree rather than of kind.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-901553151143065312010-03-20T12:27:00.000-07:002010-03-26T08:43:26.848-07:00Jozan come lately<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"></span><i>[To better understand my perspective on games, it might be useful to know a little history about me. I apologize in advance if these preliminary "throat-clearing" posts are boring, but I can't seem to get started without organizing my thoughts this way. Please feel free to skip ahead if you like.]</i><br />
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I'm a relative latecomer to tabletop RPGs, having only started playing about four years ago. I had wanted to play for a long time, but various factors prevented it. Probably the greatest obstacles were:<br />
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1) In the 80s, for those of us who grew up in Christian environments, playing D&D was considered a hop, skip and a jump away from sacrificing virgins to Satan himself. My parents knew such a thing had no place in a good Baptist family like ours. They let me know in such stark terms, I never even asked for the game. I didn't personally feel that playing would make me start painting pentagrams on the floor with the blood of a black goat, but I was a good kid who minded his parents.<br />
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2) Apart from the religious condemnation of RPGs, the social stigma attached to those who played D&D and other games remained strong. So even when I felt more freedom in college, and when churches weren't quite so preoccupied with the dangers of D&D, I still stayed away. Call it a lack of self-esteem or self-confidence, but I actually was worried if playing RPGs would hurt my chances with the ladies. In my mind, it was bad enough that I played scifi/fantasy video games and read scifi/fantasy novels, actually pretending to be a wizard myself would be too much of a risk for my social life.<br />
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So fast foward a few more years to when I'm married. My wife has a few quirks of her own, and in a lot of ways doesn't feel bound to convention. She knows I like fantasy books and games, so when I ran across an announcement for a D&D 3.5ed one shot game through the local RPG Meetup group, she actually encouraged me to go.<br />
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I went, and I loved it.<br />
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We didn't get very far that day, as the DM (Norm, of Troll and Flame fame) had to walk me through character creation, and I'm sure I annoyed the other players with my constant questions. But it was a ton of fun anyway. I still recall how our entire party nearly got wiped out by a few flame-breathing kobolds. They were sitting at the top of a tall makeshift barricade made from the piled remains of broken furniture and other trash, and I could not make a Climb check to reach the buggers to save my life.<br />
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So now I've been bitten by the RP bug, and I'm trying to play catch up for all the years of gaming I've missed. I've played in a D&D 3.5e campaign, and have played one shots of Savage Worlds, Tunnels and Trolls, Mutants and Masterminds, and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay. I'm currently playing in 3, yes 3, rotating D&D hybrid 1e/2e campaigns. Because that's not enough, I've got couple of Labyrinth Lord one shots lined up, and I'm joining another group playing Call of Cthuhlu.<br />
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In the posts to come, I'll give a more complete recount of each gaming experience. I plan both to blog about what I recall of my older games, and also give a comprehensive overview of my current games. I'll use these as a base to explore the mechanics, styles and flavors of the different systems, as well as the experiences they produce.Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7025435616540511154.post-7601331285762823512010-03-17T14:10:00.000-07:002010-03-22T10:26:14.348-07:00Post, the first<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Socrates said "The unexamined life is not worth living." Perhaps a tad hyperbolic, but his point is well taken. I'll modify that point, and offer this paraphrase: "The unexamined game is not worth playing." Again, hyperbole, but essentially, while it's perfectly fine and enjoyable to plop down and roll some dice, killing non-existent monsters and stealing their imaginary loot, you leave a lot of fun on the table if that's all you ever do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">But how to examine one's game? Unfortunately, I find I never know what I really <b>feel/believe/know </b>until I've written it down. I can't truly test my thoughts and beliefs until I'm forced to translate them into words on paper (or the screen). This process often reveals innumerable inconsistencies and errors which must each be dealt with before I'm satisfied, even if it means scrapping the whole thing and starting over. It makes for achingly slow writing, but I think (hope) the end product is the better for it.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Hence, this blog.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">In addition to tabletop gaming stuff, focused mostly on what I'm currently playing, I'll occasionally throw in other items of geekery to break things up a bit. I'll try to keep things interesting and/or informative, and at least honest.</span>Paradigm Travelerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13120082187896921402noreply@blogger.com1